Wensleydale 21 Wath 14

Wensleydale 21 Wath 14
Wath Unable To Turn Pressure Into Points

The picturesque setting just outside the village of Leyburn was the venue for Wath’s first game of 2020. On a bright, sunny afternoon conditions looked perfect, but, a chilly wind blowing down the valley of the River Ure was to play an influential role in the outcome of the game.
Facing into the wind in the first half, Wath started well but, after a period of control, lost possession and were made to pay for some indifferent tackling in open play as the home team took advantage and scored the first try of the match. Missing the conversion meant Wensleydale had a 5-0 lead.
However, the kicker redeemed himself with three long range penalties using the wind well and stretching Wensleydale’s lead to 14-0 after half an hour. The hosts landed what turned out to be the killer blow on 35 minutes. The young full back made an attacking run at the Wath backs and, displaying great pace, touched down under the posts without anyone laying a hand on him. The conversion took the lead out to 21 -0 but Wensleydale were forced just to hang on from this point.
Wath, bolstered once again by the arrival on the pitch of Richard Hill, dominated the closing stages of the first half. Continued forward pressure resulted in a series of penalties near the Wensleydale line and, having yellow carded a home player for an offence at a 5 metre scrum, the referee awarded Wath a penalty try as the hosts offended at the ensuing scrum. The referee yellow carded a second defender, much to the obvious displeasure of the Dales supporters. The half time score read 21-7.
Early into the second half Wensleydale were temporarily reduced to 12 men following a deliberate knock-on, but Wath were still unable to take advantage. Throughout the second half Wath dominated territory and possession but appeared to lack any cutting edge and the home team looked more dangerous on the rare occasions they had the ball.
A fine individual try by fullback, Tom Quinn, late in the game gave Jack Whitlam the opportunity to gain the two points to get back to 21-14 and take something from the game, albeit a losing bonus point. A creditable performance especially in the set pieces but Wath’s attacking limitations were clearly exposed.
Steve Corns