If Andre Rieu* were to produce a rugby match he would probably deliver a performance something like the opening half hour of this game. It was entertaining, exciting, joyous even, certainly for the home supporters but unfortunately for the self-same folk Ionians rather ran out of steam; or more accurately everything Ionians touched no longer turned to gold and ‘dale began to get a rub of the green.

The match was then a much more even affair but by then the damage was done.

The hosts meant business from the off. The pack provided front foot ball allowing Josh Britton to scythe through the first line of defence. Once stopped Ionians won a scrum from which Lucas Powell broke away, he was pulled to ground and the ball was then shipped along the line to Jack Townend, who came steaming up from full-back to plough his way through to the line.

Britton instigated the second try; he latched onto a loose ball well within his own half and made good ground before drawing the cover and setting Lewis Minikin free. Minikin was in his element as he waltzed his way past the remnants of the ‘dale defence to cross under the posts. Marvellous stuff.

Things got even better for the hosts. The Ionians back-line were creating mayhem and the ubiquitous Britton combined with Sam Pockington to put the scrum-half over in the corner for the third try.

The forwards, seemingly interested bystanders to this point, then became involved to claim the bonus point try. From a rare line-out success 15m from the Green’s line the pack launched a series of pick and drives without conspicuous success. The ball was then moved, almost inevitably, to Britton for a dash to the line. He was held but support was on hand and skipper Sanderson, aided by some impetus from Chris Morton drove over.

Twenty-seven minutes had elapsed and Ionians held a very healthy 24 point advantage. Wharfedale, however, were never going to roll over and the doughty dalesmen, led by the indomitable Sam Gaudie, battled their way into the game. Their hard working forwards clamoured to within a couple of yards of the home line and Gaudie was on hand to dart over from close range.

The visitors were then gifted a try; from the re-start Ionians shovelled out some progressively poor possession until no-one but dale’s winger, Oscar Canny, was available to collect the ball, which he did, to sprint away and score. In a matter of two minutes Ionians saw their lead cut in two.

Ionians re-gained their composure and another sublime passage of play, in which James Thomson and Sam Pocklington were heavily involved, resulted in George Mewburn smashing his way over for a try to bring the score to 31 – 12 and the first half to its conclusion.

Ionians’ increasing vulnerability at the set piece, the line-out was a lottery through-out and Altham had an easier ride than Beesley in the scrum following Bell’s departure, meant Wharfedale enjoyed considerably more possession in the second half. They used it to good effect.

The ‘dale pack established camp close to the home line and pummelled away at a well organised defence, eventually they exploited a weakness and George Hedgley was able to burrow his way over the line to score.

There was then a prolonged period of stale-mate with defences holding sway, though Ionians golden touch had abandoned them and they resorted to putting points on the board via a Minikin penalty.

The game was in to the final ten minutes before Wharfedale got the reward their effort deserved; as Ionians momentarily faltered when the ball was knocked on, the referee played a good advantage and the greens took full toll, racing away for Gaudie to claim his second of the match and the visitors bonus point score.

The hosts had the last word with another Minikin penalty in the final minute, bringing to a close a thoroughly entertaining game.
Ionians now face a daunting two weeks, with games against the top two sides in N2N. Let’s hope for more of the same, certainly of the opening half hour.

*Andre Reiu is a violinist and conductor, known for his populist presentation of the classics, notably waltzes. Old folk love him.