The match preparation and first half were a nightmare. Scrum half Sam Pocklington called off having not recovered from an injury in training and the first half saw centre Josh Britton (11 mins), prop Mike Melhuish (21 mins), off half Ben Smith (32 mins) then finally winger Alfie Celella (39 mins) all leave the field injured.
Wharfedale were given the wind and slope advantage in the first half and with 95% possession should have had enough opportunities to score frequently, to the credit of Hull Ionians their defence restricted them to just 3 tries in the first 40 minutes.
Rob Davidson missed an early Dale penalty then lock forward Elliot Stockton was clean through the middle but called back as the pass was forward. After 11 minutes the pressure finally told and full back Harry Bullough scored in the corner on the overlap, Davidson converting. Five minutes later moving right left then right again centre Josh Prell scored. Then on 20 minutes a counter attack saw Prell score again to lead 17-0. Two of these tries had been scored with the defence down to 14 men with players down injured.
Ionians had some possession, but each time quickly lost it at the breakdown putting them on the backfoot, it was 28 minutes before they had their first penalty kick to gain an attacking line-out, which as far to often happens, they lost. However by this point Ionians were starting to retain the ball and starting to make progress.
After 34 minutes a fine break by Lucas Powell was continued by George Mewburn and Hull Ionians were threatening the line. They kept the ball alive and man of the match George Mewburn powered over to score, Lewis Minikin converting.
Another good move broke down when Alfie Celella lost the ball in attack on incurring a severe ankle injury and Wharfedale gained a bonus point try that proved decisive in first half injury time, Wharfedale swept back up field for Rian Hamilton to score to lead 24-7 at the break.
Hull Ionians applied pressure straight from the restart and within a minute Lewis Minikin struck a penalty from 30 metres out. However they spoilt it by allowing Rob Davidson to kick two in reply in the next ten minutes when Wharfedale were thwarted in their attempts to score tries by Ionians never say die defence.
From that point on it was Hull Ionians looking far more likely to score. On 58 minutes they launched an attack from their own 22 with good support play with Josh Britton, who had come back on with a strapped-up ankle, providing the final finish and Minikin again converting.
Five minutes later Cam Burnhill evaded several tackles and looked set to score but a tap tackle saw him stumble and fall just inches short, straining his hamstring in the process leaving his team with 10 forwards and just 5 backs on the field. But they were not giving up.
With ten minutes to go a line-out on the 22 saw the pack drive to near the line where George Mewburn peeled off to score. Minikin once again added the goal and at 30-24 it was game on and the Wharfedale crowd were nervous and showed it.
The pressure and penalties saw Hull Ionians camped on the line but not quite able to cross before one final error saw Dale clear their line and hold out for victory.
At least next week is a rest week and hopefully will allow some of the injured players to return.