Redruth 15 Wharfedale 16: Wharfedale hold on for victory

Wharfedale stalwart Andy Hodgson picked a good time to register the remarkable achievement of 100 National League tries. His 74th-minute effort, with Tom Davidson's conversion, edged the Greens into the lead for the first time in this fiercely-fought game.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2010, 11:24 BST
Updated 6th Sep 2010, 11:24 BST

It preceded a nail-biting finale, in which Redruth laid siege to the visitors' line in a desperate effort to regain a lead that they will surely feel they should not have relinquished.

Home stand-off Aaron Penberthy missed three penalty chances to clinch the result, and Greens full-back Adam Whaites made a dramatic try-line tackle to foil a late surge.

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Redruth's frustration was exacerbated by the fact that the Dalesmen's winning score came while captain Rob Baldwin was serving out a yellow card.

Redruth drew first blood with a well-worked converted try by centre Steve Kennard in the 13th minute. Davidson cleared the first of three splendidly struck penalties just two minutes later, his second (39 mins) seeing the half-time score to 7-6.

Penberthy and Davidson swapped penalties soon after the restart, and on 54 minutes Redruth No 8 Mark Bright crossed for what might have been a match-winning try. Penberthy crucially failed with the conversion, however.

Hodgson's try was a treat to watch – at least for the travelling fans. A steal on a Redruth line-out claimed the ball. Hodgson received 15 metres out and no defender could lay a hand on him as he sped through under the posts, leaving Davidson a routine conversion.

The match was very far from over, but sheer grit and dogged persistence saw the Greens through to a welcome final whistle.

Related topics:National League