National League One: Wharfedale 9 Plymouth Albion 12

GALE-force winds and rain greeted Plymouth on their arrival at The Avenue but the ground was playable, albeit very heavy.

Wharfedale elected to play with the wind in the first half, and were rewarded with a penalty in the 11th minute after a dominant scrum, Jamie Guy kicking the points to give the hosts an early lead.

On 19 minutes, after a succession of drives and line-outs, Wharfedale were awarded another penalty, which Guy also converted.

The hosts continued to apply pressure and, after a period of scrappy, error-strewn play, Wharfedale were awarded yet another penalty in the 29th minute following a good line-out catch and drive, again converting for 9-0.

What followed was sustained pressure from the Plymouth pack and stout defence from the Greens, but in the 38th minute, the visitors drove Michael Stupple over the line for a try, Billy Searle adding the extras to make the half-time score 9-7.

The second half belonged to the Wharfedale pack, who refused to be daunted by the elements and drove relentlessly at the Plymouth defence, going through multiple phases to gain hard-earned metres but being unable to break the line and score.

Just when it looked like a hard-fought victory for Wharfedale, a well directed up and under was misjudged in the 78th minute, resulting in a scrum and a penalty to Plymouth.

From a quick tap, Matthew Shepherd was driven over the line for a try, although the conversion was missed.

The remarkably good crowd of nearly 400 saw an evenly-contested match that Plymouth edged to win but the future bodes well for Wharfedale as they try to build momentum to climb out of the relegation zone.