WHARFEDALE kicked off the new campaign with a victory, as they defeated Sheffield Tigers 22-8 at the Avenue on Saturday.

The visitors have proved a tough side to beat in recent times; Dale having only won one out of the last six encounters.

Wharfedale grabbed a bonus point win to start their campaign whilst a plucky Tigers side went back down the M1 without a point.

The hosts dominated possession and territory in the 1st half, but mistakes prevented them from scoring more than their two tries.

Dale opened the second half with some more fluent play and established a 22-3 lead.

Sheffield came into their own with 15 minutes to go and threatened to close the gap on the home side, but mistakes close to the line cost them.

Wharfedale started brightly and quickly forced a turn-over. They had Tigers defending desperately whilst the visitors were guilty of conceding a number of penalties.

With an easy kick under the posts on offer, Dale opted for a scrum. A solid set-piece was followed by three phases (and another penalty advantage) before Sam Dickinson opened the scoring for Wharfedale. Sam Gaudie added the conversion.

Tigers got on the scoreboard with a 40-metre penalty by Will Baker. The visitors did manage a short period of possession and territory, but they could not execute any meaningful moves and were held up over the line for a Wharfedale drop-out.

Bradley Viner finished off some excellent handling by Wharfedale with an unconverted try on the stroke of half-time.

Dale’s strong start to the second half was soon rewarded. A superb break by Joe Fawcett was stopped as two players had clashed heads and the referee quite rightly stopped the game immediately.

The game restarted with a Dale scrum which the Green Machine won. Dale’s strong start to the second half was rewarded with an unconverted try by Harry Bullough after a good break by Viner.

Dale took the restart and Robbie Davidson sent a searing kick deep into Sheffield’s 22. The clearance kick did not find touch and was run back by the Wharfedale backs. Eight phases later Joe Fawcett charged through the defence and set up George Hedgley for another unconverted try.

The next passage of play seemed to sum up the visitor’s plight. Sheffield went through 15 tough phases but only made about 15 metres before losing the ball.

Dale then countered quickly and were soon deep in Tigers’ 22 with an attacking 5-metre line-out.

The visitor’s performance improved on 60 minutes with a change of personnel. Their attitude became more positive and there was more direction in their play.

Dale seemed to have survived some good pressure, however, the flow changed after a yellow card was issued to a Wharfedale player.

A successful line-out was moved along the backs and then James Norman followed up a grubber kick to touch down for an unconverted try for Sheffield Tigers.

The visitors pushed in hope of adding to their score, but it was too little too late. The Green wall did not break even though it was put under considerable pressure.

Wharfedale travel to newly promoted Harrogate next Saturday. Gate lost their opening fixture away to Billingham so will be eager to get a win at home.