Last updated at 14:58, Monday, 15 March 2010

ONLY one point separated these two fine sides at the start of play, but a majestic performance by the Tynedale pack saw Wharfedale’s white rose wilt, wither and die.

Tynedale 55,Wharfedale 18.

Cruel scrummaging, particularly by the front row, saw Wharfedale’s hopes of leap-frogging over Tynedale into fourth place in National League Division One destroyed.

Kieran Brookes showed what an asset he will be with a monumental display at tight head, while Jonny Williams was equally punishing at loose head.

In between them, skipper Joe Graham had his usual impeccable game, adding a try to his all round skills.

Both clubs have strong farming traditions, but on this occasion, it was Tynedale who reaped a welcome double over the Yorkshiremen,

It was the perfect antidote to the disappointment of the previous week’s defeat at boggy Blaydon, as both sides took the opportunity to throw the ball around in prime conditions at Corbridge.

Tynedale’s kicking game was again dreadful for the most part, with the ball whacked aimlessly downfield into the grateful arms of the Wharfedale defence times without number.

It was only when Tynedale spread the ball that they were able to get the scoreboard moving, scoring nine fine tries to take their total for the season well beyond the 100 mark – 74 in 11 home matches and 30 in 11 away matches.

The match was a personal triumph for full back James Hoyle, who was unfortunate enough to break both thumbs in different games earlier in the season.

He shimmied and danced his way to a hat-trick of tries in a dazzling display of inventive running and clinical finishing.

However, the Waitrose man of the match was flanker Grant Rastall, with another typically non-stop display of covering and tackling himself into the ground.

Wharfedale started brightly enough, but after six minutes, Joe Graham made a good break, before timing a great pass to Jamie Murray, who romped in under the posts for the opening try, which Gavin Beasley converted.

Three minutes later, Tynedale were caught offside, and Wharfedale’s former Darlington Mowden Park fly half Mark Bedworth slotted over the penalty.

The cut and thrust continued when winger Peter Cole made an excellent break which was continued by Charlie Ingall, before Hoyle came into the line for his first try,

The kick failed, but Tynedale were 12-3 ahead.

Two minutes later, a slack pass from Jamie Murray was intercepted, and although he made amends by tackling the interceptor, Wharfedale had men up in support, and centre James Tincknell was able to touch down for a fine try, which was well converted by Bedworth in-off the near post to reduce the gap to two points.

On the half hour though, a well-controlled scrum sucked in the Wharfedale defence, allowing Cole to make a powerful break, before slipping the ball to Charlie Ingall, who dotted down for the try wide out.

The kick went across the face of the posts.

Wharfedale claimed the final score of the half, when Tynedale were spotted handling in the ruck, and Bedworth boomed over the kick to make it 17-13 at the interval.

Tynedale started the second half well, when after a period of pressure, Graham was able to snake round the blindside and score a fine opportunist’s try.

Andy Hall had taken over kicking duties, but failed to hit the target from wide out.

Tynedale were soon swarming onto the attack again, and Wharfedale simply ran out of defenders, as the ball was whipped along the line for Hoyle to dart in for his second try, which was improved by Hall.

The Yorkshiremen refused to lie down, and came bustling back with power and purpose, before some sloppy tackling allowed Tincknell to storm in for his second score.

For once, Bedworth was off target with his kick, but the visitors had a glimmer of hope at 29-18.

Tynedale seemed to have scored again when Brookes did well to find Ingall, who send Hamish Smales in to touch down, but the referee ruled the final pass had gone forward.

The Wharfedale scrum was now in total disarray as Tynedale turned the screw, and when they were awarded a penalty in the Wharfedale 22, Tynedale had no hesitation in opting for the penalty scrum.

After several attempts, the inevitable happened, when the Tynedale pack avalanched over the line, and lock Andrew Murray was credited with the try.

Hall converted impressively, and two minutes later, he was over for a try himself, following more excellent handling by the Tynedale backs, including some round-the-back sleight of hand from Beasley.

Hall converted his own try to make it 43-18.

More quick handling as Wharfedale wilted saw Hoyle complete his hat-trick with two minutes of normal time left, Hall converting despite slipping on to his backside as he made contact with the ball.

Another breathtaking spell of handling from Tynedale saw Beasley get a deserved try a minute later, to make it 55-18, and consolidate that fourth place.

First published at 09:44, Friday, 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk