Wharfedale RUFC come up trumps against Chester in hard-fought match

Wharfedale RUFC clinched victory against Chester RUFC with a score of 22-19 in a hard-fought match on Saturday.

Although they had chances to put the game out of Chester’s reach, hosts Wharfedale settled for the five points and a solid home win to keep them fifth in National Two North.

Chester never gave in, and some determined play saw them travel home with a deserved bonus point.

The match's opening salvoes showed how the wind would affect the game, with conditions making it difficult for both teams to kick and put together good passing phases.

Wharfedale struggled to get out of their half after the kick-off, but Chester also found it challenging to make progress when they had possession.

Wharfedale opened the scoring two phases after a turnover, and a break by Robbie Davidson was run in by Harry Bullough; Davidson then converted from in front of the posts.

Harry Bullough is all smiles as he strolls in to score early on for Wharfedale on Saturday. (Image: Ro Burridge.)

Mistakes followed from both sides, with one meaningful event being the first scrum on halfway, following a Wharfedale handling error.

Going uphill and into the wind, the Green Machine exerted too much pressure for the Chester pack and won a penalty.

They took the domination to the lineout, and having secured the ball on Chester's 22, drove the defence back close to the line.

Poor discipline allowed Chester a respite, and they cleared for a line-out just outside their 22.

However, the visitors found it hard to deal with the wind and this affected passes, which took them deeper into their 22.

When they did attempt to kick, Wharfedale's Zeb Heyes charged the ball down and followed up to touch down for an unconverted try.

Chester now grew into the game and managed to put together some meaningful phases.

The Chester backs gathered a clearance kick, and good handling and support play eventually was rewarded when Dafydd Williams scored in in the corner.

Wharfedale extended their lead on the stroke of half time, when Oliver Cicognini danced his way through the Chester defence, setting up Heyes to score.

Chester’s Williams scored next, following up two grubber kicks to grab his second try, and a good conversion closed the gap to five points.

Wharfedale now started to dominate again and a series of penalties gave the home side territory and possession.

Eventually that pressure told and a yellow card was given to Chester’s centre, Ben Ivory.

Good work from the Green Machine set up Dan Stockdale for their bonus point unconverted try, before Chester finished the scoring with a converted try by John Craven.

Josh Prell had an outstanding game, with his defence-splitting runs, and awesome tackling, earning him the edge for the man of the match.

Wharfedale travel to fourth-placed Fylde on Saturday before entertaining struggling Harrogate at the Avenue in the Christmas Derby on Saturday, December 21.

Wharfedale Bullough; Bullock, Prell, Cicognini, Hamilton; Davidson, Kaup-Samuels (Riddiough 50); Patchett (Dickinson 40), Stockdale (Collinson 74), Armstrong, Heyes, Hedgley (c), Pinder (Borrill 60), Fawcett, Markey (Weston 32)