Two strong teams each showcasing lots of young developing players provided a good rugby spectacle and in the end it was Dales ability to execute the right pass or offload at the right time that ultimately proved the deciding factor in a pulsating if low scoring match.

The Georgians side had at least 8 players under the age of 21 in the squad which bodes well for the future.

A early change was needed when George Hampson received a deal leg after what was a somewhat late tackle and Cail went into the 10 slot with Connor Miller onto the wing and Ninja at Full Back.

Defensive pressure by both sides led to small errors or turnovers during a first half that was incredibly even, Dale without their regular 10 didnt kick too much down the hill opting for an expansive approach, on several occasions they halted promising Gate attacks forcing turnover and launching counter attacks spreading the ball wide before kicking only to find the Gate defense equally obdurate at the other end and then forcing turnovers.

Unusually the score was 0 v 0 at half time.

Gate took the lead after yet another wonderful break by man of the match Felix Morat offloading to Fraser Kitching to score and a 0 v 5 lead.

More pressure followed and Gate should have gone further ahead but a catch and drive "plough" was halted a fraction short of the line and after several phases the turnover secured by Dale and the counter attack ultimately led to a well worked try out wide to tie the scores.

Wharfedale seemed to pick up the pace during this phase of the game and after yet another opportunity where it looked for all the world Gate would score Dale countered again and scored another well worked try to take a 10 v 5 lead.

A Dale penalty stretched the lead to 13 v 5 but it was still a battle royal until on 65 mins a superb team try featuring at least 4 offloads saw Dale score their third try under the posts and a 20 v 5 lead.

Back came Gate and the last 15 minutes were all attack pounding away at a resolute Dale defensive line but a line that couldn't be breached.

A cracking game between two good sides, brilliantly refereed and played in the right spirit, Dales ability to take the chances better made them deserving winners.

An independent referee assessor at the game said that in his opinion both these sides would be very comfortable playing in Yorkshire 1