Dominant Dale pass Tigers test

Wharfedale…………22 Sheffield Tigers…… 8

■ By EDWIN WILLIAMS

WHARFEDALE grabbed a bonus-point win to start their campaign, while a plucky Tigers side went back down the M1 without a point.

Dale dominated possession and territory in the first half, but too many mistakes stopped them scoring more than twice. Dale opened the second half with some more fluent play and established a 22-8 lead.

Sheffield played more positive rugby with 15 minutes to go and threatened to close the gap on the home side, but mistakes close to the line cost them.

Sam Dickinson opened the scoring for Wharfedale after a successful five-metre scrum. Sam Gaudie added the conversion.

Tigers got on the scoreboard with a 40-metre penalty by Will Baker. Bradley Viner finished off some excellent handling by

Wharfedale with an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time.

Dale’s start to the second half was rewarded with an unconverted try by Harry Bullough after a good break by Viner. Minutes later Joe Fawcett charged through the defence and set up George Hedgley for another unconverted try.

James Norman followed up a grubber kick to touch down for Tigers which Baker converted. For Sheffield, it was too little too late.