Wharfedale 22, Redruth 33

Both sides will take satisfaction from the result in this tense match yesterday.

Wharfedale ensured themselves of a 16th successive season in National League One with the single point – a four-try bonus – needed for safety. Redruth’s victory lifted them out of the relegation places, with a genuine chance of survival.

It might well have been a different outcome.

When the Greens grabbed a 22-21 lead with lock Talite Vaioleti’s 65-minute bulldozer of a try, they looked likely winners.

But it was the Cornishmen who finished the stronger with two late tries – with the first of which skipper and No 8 Mark Bright (undoubtedly the man of the match) completed an impressive hat-trick.

The Greens began strongly, their opening try in the fourth minute by hooker Steve Graham being the culmination of fierce pressure on the visitors’ line.

Centre Tom Davidson converted splendidly from the touchline but he subsequently had no success with his usually reliable boot, losing the battle with the strong wind.

Redruth’s Aaron Penberthy mastered the conditions rather better, and his four clearances from seven shots were important in the final analysis.

The Reds were surely fortunate with their first try, everyone at the ground – save the officials – seemingly aware of suspect handling on the way to winger Tom Notman’s 23rd-minute touchdown.

But there was nothing wrong with Bright’s finish five minutes later, capping a defence-splitting move. Penberthy converted both tries for a half-time advantage to the visitors of 14-7.

The Greens began the second half in like manner to the first, and cut the deficit to 14-12 with another determined pack surge, player-coach Tom McGee taking the honours with a 44th-minute touchdown.

The Dalesmen looked to be taking control, but suddenly Redruth broke out, intercepting a careless pass.

They burgled a Wharfedale line-out on the home 22 and scored after a controlled maul to the line, Bright getting his second try and Penberthy converting.

Flanker David Hughes finished off a slick Wharfedale attack in the 61st minute, and four minutes later concerted pressure by the pack set up Vaioleti for the bonus-point try.

Back surged Redruth, and tries by Bright in the 69th minute and and substitute back-rower Steven Woods three minutes later, Penberthy converting the latter, cued joy among their large contingent of travelling fans.

Wharfedale: D Hart; N Taylor, A Hodgson, T Davidson, S Horsfall; L Gray (T Barrett 67), A Black; T McGee (N Dickinson 55), S Graham (B Sowery 67), C Steel, T Vaioleti (R Rhodes 67), A Allen (R Brown 67), D Hughes, D Solomi, R Baldwin.