REPORT BY: ED WILLIAMS

AN excellent game of rugby played in front of a stellar crowd saw Wharfedale overcome local rivals Otley on Saturday.

The weekend's visitors had won the first contest of the season, so Dale were chasing revenge and that's exactly what they got as they edged the match by a scoreline of 42-28.

The visitors started strongly and dominated early possession, and they were rewarded with a try scored by Finn Warren-Lambert.

After some strong play from the forwards and backs, Otley's powerhouses used their force to crash over the try-line. Edward Crossland added the two points.

Otley then took a back seat, and it was Wharfedale who played some outstanding rugby to lead 21-7 at half-time.

The visitors were finding it hard to cope with the speed of Wharfedale and several penalties were awarded to Dale. Eventually this led to an attacking lineout which was efficiently won, and a good drive nearly saw Sam Dickinson going over the whitewash.

However, the ball was quickly recycled and moved to Oliver Cicognini who barrelled over for Dale’s first try and Robbie Davidson started a brilliant afternoon by slotting the extras.

This was soon followed by Tom Beresford who finished off some excellent work by the backs and forwards; one of the tries of the season.

Otley were awarded a penalty from the restart as Tom Beresford had offended after Cico had scored. The penalty kick to touch was good and Otley had a lineout in Dale’s 22. They seemed to have secured the ball but then lost it.

Joe Fawcett scooped the ball up and charged out of Dale’s 22. A quick ball was given to Cicognini who broke out of defence up to halfway. Oli Riddiough was again getting the ball recycled quickly and Sam Dickinson carried the ball into the visitor's territory.

Riddiough then fed Beresford who gave the ball to Dan Stockdale who burst through into Otley’s 22. Beresford was on his shoulder and gratefully took the offload to touch down under the posts for a converted try.

Otley had the ball for two phases after the restart before they were back in their own half. More indiscipline gave Dale an attacking lineout and the forwards pinned them back on their line. The Green Machine showed patience in working the ball through the phases until Elliot Stockton added the home side’s third converted try before half-time.

Harry Bullough crossed at the start of the second half to secure a bonus point for Dale. Davidson was again accurate from the tee.

Otley narrowed the gap with another try by Warren-Lambert and a conversion by Crossland.

Oli Riddiough broke through the defence for Dale’s fifth try. Davidson notched up the extras.

Dale’s last score was a penalty try as the Dale pack rounded off their work by overpowering the Otley 8.

Otley seemed to bounce back into the game and two more tries gave them a deserved bonus-point. Sam Taylor and Joe Rowntree touched down with Crossland adding both conversions.

It was a tremendous afternoon of rugby, with Wharfedale playing some of the best rugby that they have played for a while.

Dale have several hard matches over the next few weeks.

This Saturday takes the club to East Yorkshire where they face off with Hull. This is followed by an away trip to Tynedale and then Leeds at the Avenue.

Wharfedale lineup: Bullough; Hamilton, Prell, Cicognini, Bullock; Davidson, Riddiough (Kaup-Samuels 72); Dickinson (Ward 56), Stockdale (Collinson 68), Armstrong (Dickinson 74), Stockton, Hedgley, Pinder, Fawcett (Heys 56), Beresford (Weston 68)