Wharfedale climb into top half of table after derby win at Huddersfield

Otley's Paul Petchey. PIC: Gary Longbottom/JPIMedia

Wharfedale climbed into the top half of the table in National Two (North) after beating hosts and Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield 40-30 in an entertaining Yorkshire derby clash.

Huddersfield’s Alex Battye was first to touch down, and after Jack Blakeney-Edwards and Will Milner traded penalties it was Wharfedale who extended a lead with flanker Matt Speres and scrum-half Henry McNab scoring tries. Battye and No 8 Richard Piper added further tries as Huddersfield edged in front, but Blakeney-Edwards’ try on 42 minutes put Wharfedale back in front.

Flanker Liam Parfitt’s 50th-minute try put Huddersfield back ahead, only for winger Ollie Cicognini to level with the visitor’s fourth try. Milner kicked a penalty on the hour mark to leave Huddersfield in front, but two more penalties and a conversion from Blakeney-Edwards and another try from Cicognini sealed the win for Wharfedale.

Otley lost out 50-12 at Caldy despite going ahead early on. Flanker Adam Malthouse touched down early on and replacement Paul Petchey scored a try late on, but the home side ran in seven tries to take a comfortable victory.

Harrogate continued their winning streak with a 40-16 victory over Alnwick, their sixth win in a row in the North Premier division. Elsewhere, Sandal were beaten 46-21 at home by Macclesfield, while Ilkley also lost, 41-7 at home against leaders Billingham.