Wensleydale guaranteed their place in Yorkshire 3 next season by beating local rivals Northallerton for the first time in 25 years.
It wasn’t the best of starts when the kick off was dropped. From the scrum a penalty was conceded but surprisingly the visitors turned down the opportunity of three points by kicking for the corner instead.
Dale defended the line-out well setting the scene for the afternoon.
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When North dropped the ball in midfield a hacked clearance suddenly turned defence into attack, James Ashford easily out sprinted his opposite number only for the ball to bobble into touch close to the try line.
Possession was secured giving prop Dave Wheeler the chance to rumble over for the first try. Fly half Jack Reynard converted then stepped through a flat footed defence to touch down.
Next to score was free scoring winger Ashford following good work from the base of the scrum by Paul Smith.
North came back into it with a couple of tries, Reynard replied with a penalty. 24 – 13 at the break. Wensleydale took control in the second half with tries from man of the match Charlie Johnston in the back row and three well struck penalties from Reynard. With forward replacements Bobby Moore and Oli Metcalfe making an impact along with centre Fergus Chapman Dale were in control.
Reynard ran in his second of the afternoon for a tally of 32 points before a lovely flowing backs move sent Chapman through a gap from 40 yards out. Perhaps the backs were guilty of showboating when Ashford tried an audacious pass to fullback Reynolds gifting North the last try.
Final score 54 – 27.
Dale’s last league game of the season is at Halifax on April 22.
