A Hoppers side still decimated by injury made the trip to North Yorkshire with 12 first team players unavailable.

It was a positive however to see captain Josh Longson return to the side following his spell on the sidelines.

Hoppers got off to a fast start thanks to Craig Procter who made a great impression just three minutes into his first appearance this season. Sam Freeman converted the try to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead.

Wharfedale quickly responded though thanks to a penalty try, with Hoppers Jonny Wild shown a yellow card.

That didn't deter the Lancashire side however, a brilliant run from Sam Freeman using all his pace to carry the ball into the Wharfedale 22 before he kicked through a penalty to take back the lead for Hoppers.

The end-to-end nature of the first half continued and it was some quick thinking from the hosts to get themselves in behind the Hoppers defensive line allowing Joe Fawcett to score the try, Greig's conversion was off the mark.

Almost instantly though the lead switched again, an almighty penalty kick from Sam Freeman from just ahead of the halfway line made the score 13-12.

Wharfedale ensured they entered the half ahead Jack Pinder scoring the try before Greig converted.

Hoppers cut the deficit in half on the stroke of the break forcing a turnover from the Yorkshire side before Freeman kicked his third penalty of them game, Hoppers trailing 19-16 at the break.

The momentum continued for Hoppers entering the 2nd half another penalty for successfully kicked through the uprights by Freeman levelled the game.

Dan Orwins' side struggled to see much of the ball after that point however, Wharfedale effective in maintaining possession.

They added two more tries to the tally, both previous scores, Fawcett and Pinder doubling their totals for the day, as well as a penalty kick from Greig.

The final score may have read 34-19 for the hosts but there was definitely positives to take for an injury struck Hoppers side who never gave in until the very last whistle.

Periods of the game showed a Hoppers side very capable of picking up wins across the remainder of the campaign.

Head coach Dan Orwin said "he couldn't fault his sides effort" but admits Hoppers need to start winning more games in the back end of the season.

Louis Jefferson