Cambridge 28, Wharfedale 21

Three converted tries with just half an hour played looked to have set Wharfedale on their way to a first-ever victory at Cambridge in National League One yesterday.

With control of the game based on well organised and ferocious defence, and efficiency in the set-pieces, they were good value for the 21-0 lead.

The first-half performance was as good as anything Wharfedale have produced so far in an eventful season, but they were unable to maintain the momentum after the interval – though the turnaround in fortunes resulted more from the home side’s improvement than from any failings on the part of the Greens.

The first touchdown, claimed by leading try-scorer Latu Maka’afi on eight minutes, was textbook stuff – long penalty to touch by Mark Bedworth, then controlled drive to the line. Bedworth converted superbly from the touchline.

Full back Luke Gray was next on the scoreboard in the 26th minute, owing his chance to winger Iain Dixon’s 30-metre overlapping run after a turnover at a maul, and five minutes later Dixon demonstrated impressive pace, intercepting on the visitors’ 22 and racing to the line. Bedworth completed conversions of both tries.

The turning point came late in the first half when prop Mark Chivers (starting in place of Tom Horner, who injured at work on Friday) was yellow-carded for ‘persistent non-binding’.

Cambridge took their chance against the weakened defence to open their account through centre and skipper James Shanahan’s unconverted try.

In the second half, Cambridge were a different side from that which put on a decidedly stodgy showing in the first period.

Playing at pace, and mixing their game tactically, they steadily ate into the Dalesmen’s lead with further unconverted tries by winger Adam Barnard in the 43rd minute and winger Johannes Schmidt in the 50th minute.

Fly half Craig Evans reduced the deficit to three points at 21-18 with a penalty three minutes later and converted substitute back Ben Hunter’s try in the 68th minute for Cambridge to take a four-point lead.

The Greens pressed hard toward the end of the match but could not breakthrough, and Evans settled the result of what had been an excellent game with a magnificent 50-metre drop-goal.

Cambridge: T Wheatcroft; J Schmidt, A Dodge, J Shanahan, A Barnard; C Evans, D Hunter; A Brown, S Pearl, R Reeves, K Rudski, P Kalakowski, G Powell, D Fox, D Legge.

Wharfedale: L Gray; I Dixon, J Tincknell, A Hodgson, S Horsfall (D Hall 45); M Bedworth, S Cottrell (D Matthews 72); M Chivers, G Hindle (A Mason 55), N Dickinson, O Renton, R Brown (R Rhodes 65), L Maka’afi, D Solomi, R Baldwin.

Referee: Andrew Taylorson.