THE Woodlands ground was illuminated by a fantastic, fast-paced match that ended in euphoria for the home team and heartbreak for Wharfedale and the travelling faithful on Saturday.

Sadly, for Dale, Fylde took the 31-30 victory.

The visitors started brightly, however. On the fourth phase of play, Joe Fawcett broke free and looked to be in the clear. The ball was then quickly recycled for Elliot Stockton to open the scoring. Robbie Davidson slotted the conversion.

Fylde threatened to score but a knock-on gave Dale the platform to move the ball downfield. The Green Machine’s next two possessions led to errors, a forward pass and a knock-on.

From there the visitors went into top gear and, without mercy, drove the Fylde 8 back to win two scrum penalties. The second one was near enough for Davidson to get three points from the tee.

Penalties were given away by Dale, mainly for high tackles, and Fylde twice had lineouts deep into Wharfedale territory.

The Green Wall held strong and from the goal-line drop out a handling area by Fylde gave Dale good field position. A penalty followed and the visitors capitalised with a stunning effort.

Fast hands and strong passing in front of the receiver allowed the ball to be played to Ryan Hamilton. The winger needed no further invitation and once he got the ball in his hands he was gone; easily beating the cover to touch down. Davidson added the two points.

Dale extended their lead to 22 points with an individual effort by Hamilton. A turnover was won on half-way and Hamilton was gone before Fylde could reach him to make any effective challenge. No conversion.

Wharfedale lost Jack Pinder just before half-time due to an infringement.

The second half started with Fylde doing the scoring and with four unanswered converted tries they burst into a 28-22 lead.

Missed tackles and handling errors gave Fylde good territory and possession and they used it well. Tries were scored by Freddie Reader, Ben Gould, Jordan Dorrington and Toby Harrison. Patrick Bishop converted all four.

Many teams would now have been counted out, down on their knees and just wanting to go home but not Wharfedale. Skipper, Oli Cicognini, gathered the troops under the posts and exhorted the boys to lift themselves and go for glory.

And how so close they came; they forced a turnover from the restart and five phases later, with multiple penalty advantages in the bag, Harry Bullough dived over to guarantee a bonus point and to bring the score to within a point.

Dale had to ride out some dangerous high tackles, before Bullough touched down.

This now led to a dramatic finish. The momentum was now with the visitors, and it was now Fylde’s turn to defend their line.

They had to undergo numerous phases; many deep in their own 22 before giving away a penalty. Davidson struck the ball well, but it bounced back off the upright and fell, just out of Elliot Stockton’s reach, to a Fylde player.

Back came Dale as the clearing kick did not find touch and 17 phases followed before Davidson was given another shot at goal. This time he was accurate, and Dale crept back into the lead, at 30-28.

The visitors took the restart and tried to run out the final minutes, but time went on. They managed six pick and goes but, on the 7th, Fylde were awarded a very kickable penalty. Bishop held his nerve and won the game for the home team.

This Saturday sees the Christmas Derby at the Avenue with Harrogate travelling along the A59. KO will be 2pm