WENSLEYDALE travelled away to play Middlesbrough for their first of two back to back fixtures against the side – with both teams still in contention for the top spot of the league, it was always going to be a tight game.

Wensleydale got off to an excellent start, pinning Middlesbrough down deep inside their half using fly-half Sean Hockey and full-back Paul Roberts’ kicking abilities to their advantage.

Wensleydale looked first to score with Sean Hockey and Matt Lambert-Cluderay’s attacking kicks putting Middlesbrough under serious pressure.

Middlesbrough soon fought back and after gaining some territory they started forcing Wensleydale to make errors.

Wensleydale held off Middlesbrough’s strong attacks until the 35th minute, when some poor tackling allowed the Middlesbrough No.8 to touch down for the first score of the game. The conversion put Wensleydale seven points down going into half time.

The second half would prove to be just as tight as the first, with both teams’ defences holding strong. Some great play from the Wensleydale pack put Hockey into a fine position to have a run at the Middlesbrough back line, stepping past two defenders to touch down in the corner for Wensleydales first and only try of the game.

Lambert-Cluderay missed the conversion, allowing Middlesbrough to hold on to the lead.

Boro retaliated quickly, managing to hold Wensleydale inside their half and turn the ball over, before a Middlesbrough second row breezed through the Wensleydale back line to increase their lead; however, the fly-half missed the conversion.

With the score set at 12-5 in favour of the home team, Wensleydale knew they would have to work hard for the remaining 15 minutes. With both teams having equal play of the ball and creating no real scoring opportunities it looked like the game would finish 12-5.

The last play of the game saw the only real scoring opportunity for either side, with Wensleydale winger Mike Sykes rounding his opposite player to touch down in the corner, but, much to Wensleydale’s disappointment, the try was disallowed by the touch judge.

Wensleydale will be looking forward to their next fixture which sees them play Middlesbrough at Cawkill Park, in Leyburn tomorrow.