Cambridge 17, Wharfedale 31 Wharfedale’s first away victory of the season might have been a long time coming – despite some desperate near-misses – but this emph-atic victory over Cambridge produced a very sweet taste indeed.

Five sparkling tries before the break and a solid defensive operation into the strong, gusting wind in the second half secured a resounding first success for the Greens at Volvac Park.

An opening ten minutes of tightly-contained early pressure by the home side ended with a fine counter-attacking break by visiting full back Dan Hart, alert support from Phil Wood-head and a fine sweeping finish by fly half Will Bell, which was converted by Tom Davidson.

Wharfedale added to their lead when a series of powerful pick-and-drives near the line resulted in lock Joe Quinn easing over in the corner.

Cambridge, as ever committed to all-out running attack, were making heavy weather of plentiful possession. But Wharfedale in contrast, once they got the ball in hand, unleashed devastatingly pacy and penetrating running.

Three further tries in a wonderful four-minute spell near the end of the half put the Greens in charge.

Rob Baldwin’s powerful break found flanker James Holland on hand to capitalise on a defensive fumble. Simon Horsfall snaked home for the bonus-point try and Hart ran in a fifth two minutes later.

Davidson’s three conversions pushed the lead to 31-3. Cambridge clawed back a toe-hold when Ben Hunter barrelled over on half-time, with Tom Wheatcroft add-ing the conversion to his earlier penalty.

A similar hefty heave by massive prop Tom Fidler, together with a conversion just after the re-start, narrowed the score to 31-17 but there it stayed.

A quarter of an hour of last-ditch Cambridge mom-entum threatened but failed to crack a confident, well-organised Green defence.

An all-in fracas robbed the home side of hooker Hunter and the visitors of Baldwin.

However, Wharfedale comfortably closed out a game won by sharp running from the backs on the back of water-tight defence and outstanding quick reaction at the breakdown, where flankers Aaron Myers and Holland excelled.