TYNEDALE reduced the gap between themselves and Wharfedale to just two points in the National League Two North table after seeing off the Green Machine at home on Saturday.

Dale now sit on 49 points, in 5th, while Saturday’s hosts move to 47 points, in 6th.

The spectators in attendance were treated to an entertaining game of open rugby but it would be the home side that took the 41-29 victory. The visitors, however, did score five tries, collecting one bonus-point in the process.

The visitors started off strongly, playing fast accurate rugby. A successful turnover led to a penalty and an attacking lineout.

The forwards tied in the defence and then the ball was spun left and a long pass from Robbie Davidson created space for Rian Hamilton to score.

The restart was taken by Rob Baldwin who charged at the defence and set up Dale for seven strong phases. The Green Machine were soon camped in Tyndale’s 22 and might have scored but the referee appeared to impede the attack. Dale eventually won the scrum, and the ball was fed to Harry Bullough who scored the Green’s second try. Neither try was converted but a good lead was established.

The home team began to gain some territory of their own and had a good foothold in Wharfedale territory. It was however some poor tackling that allowed Tynedale to score when Williams Roberts was allowed an easy run down the right wing. Joshua Leslie added the difficult conversion from wide out to the right.

Mistakes were creeping in to the Wharfedale play and they allowed Tynedale more possession. They won a scrum on halfway and then produced some outstanding play to create a try for Rhys Beeckmans. This involved good running, slick passing and supporting the runner. Leslie added the extras and Tynedale were now in the lead.

More mistakes followed and again Tynedale capitalised. Hooker Isaac Keller touched down for an unconverted try to stretch the home side’s lead.

Dale woke up from the doldrums and started playing again. Good ball retention allowed them to press deep into Tynedale’s 22. Another attacking lineout was followed by a few charges at the line before the ball was passed out to Josh Prell who wriggled through the defence to score. Robbie Davidson’s conversion closed the gap to two points at half-time.

Defensive errors allowed Tynedale to score first in the second half. Roberts added his second, but the conversion bounced back off the post.

Back came Wharfedale and phases were being put together and Tynedale were beginning to leak penalties. From yet another attacking lineout the ball was sent across the park and Hamilton squeezed over in the left corner.

Tynedale’s Leslie notched up a penalty in the 54th minute and he then added a converted try two minutes later. Dale refused to lie down, and Josh Prell came close to scoring before some outstanding play led to another Wharfedale try after some silky work by centre, Louis Verity, whose exquisite pass to Bradley Viner totally bamboozled the defence and allowed Viner plenty of space and time to score. Davidson added the extras.

Wharfedale pressed for a winner and could have had another attacking lineout but the penalty kick to touch was gathered by Tynedale who then won a penalty and kicked themselves away from danger.

Another penalty saw Tynedale set up camp in Wharfedale’s 22 and the pack took over. Daniel Taylor’s try (converted by Jake Rodgers) took the second bonus point away from the visitors as the hosts ran out 41-29 winners.