Field’s 14 broken by Wellock’s late dash to the line

AN 80th minute try by wingman Ralph Wellock brought Huddersfield’s eight game unbeaten run to a dramatic end in a pulsating all-Yorkshire clash at Lockwood Park.

With the sides locked at 13-13 going into the final minutes, Field, who were reduced to 14 men for much of the game following Nick Sharpe’s first-half dismissal, finally succumbed to intense Dale pressure.

In a frenetic opening spell, Field’s Chris Johnson steadied the nerves with an early penalty from the 22. A galvanised Wharfedale hit back following an error on halfway by Field winger Elliot Hodgson, gifting the ball to Phil Woodhead. The Dale full-back made no mistake from 50 metres.

From the restart, Sharpe was sent off when the flanker’s high tackle was deemed worthy of a red card. Dale pressed but were reduced to 14 when prop Reece Ward saw yellow.

With the final kick of the half Jack BlakeneyEdwards’ well struck penalty took the Greens in with a 10-3 advantage.

Field were quick off the mark after the restart, with the ball spun out to Hodgson who squeezed in at the corner, the conversion levelling the scores.

Dale edged ahead through a BlakeneyEdwards penalty but, with 13 minutes remaining they were pegged back by a sweet Johnson drop goal.

As Field’s 14 men tired, their heroic defence finally gave out as Wellock found a gap on the right flank.