Dale built on their performance last week and produced a fine away victory, only the club’s second win on the road this season. This was a result built on forward power and some good defence.

Dale opened with some fine rugby and came close to scoring twice in the first 8 minutes. They then pinned Billingham deep in their 22 and a series of scrum penalties led to a Penalty Try, Billingham prop Adam Brown was awarded a yellow card. A couple of penalties gave the home side possession in Dale’s 22 and they levelled the score with a try by Ben Walton and a conversion from Peter Evans. There was some dispute after the try was scored and Dale’s Rob Baldwin and Billingham’s Ben Walton were sin binned.

The visitors won a penalty soon after the restart and the ball was sent into Billingham’s 22. The pack then clinically won the line out and drove over the line from 13 metres with Dan Stockdale touching down for an unconverted try. Dale continued to dominate but errors crept into their play which stopped them getting to the line. Robbie Davidson extended the lead with a penalty after 38 minutes. The visitors rounded off the first half with more strong driving play before the ball was spread to Oli Cicognini who barged over the line to make the score at half-time:

Billingham 7 Wharfedale 20

The pack showed their dominance again in the second half with a cracking catch and drive in Billingham’s 22 which led to another Penalty Try, Billingham’s Nathan Myers was given the obligatory yellow. Down to 14, for the second time, it was Billingham who scored next. After a couple of penalties pushed Wharfedale back, Billingham’s substitute scrum-half, Jamie Lane, took a quick tap and scored a converted try.

Wharfedale finished the scoring with an excellent try by Bradley Viner (pronounced Veneer by the announcer), no conversion but a well deserved 32 points to 14 victory. Well done to Billingham for sticking at it but they could not produce cohesive play to match their obvious passion.

Jack Pinder was Man of the Match. He thoroughly deserved the accolade as he was always involved with some superb turnovers, strong tackling and direct ball carrying.

The Foresters are at the Avenue on Saturday playing against Heath. Kick-off is 2pm.

Wharfedale Bullough; Viner, Verity, Cicognini, Prell (Hamilton 59); Davidson, Riddiough (Kaup-Samuels 74); Dickinson, Stockdale (Collinson 30), Armstrong (Ellison 77), Stockton, Hedgley (c), Heys, Pinder, Baldwin (Beecroft 40)