Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley wants his team to shed their underdog mentality next season.

After seeing his team lose their final National League One game 55-26 at Cinderford, Feeley challenged his players to be more ambitious.

He insisted: “We have shown this season that we have the ability to compete against the top clubs and the challenge for us next season is to challenge for a top six spot. We don’t need to live with the underdog tag we have opted to adopt in the past.

“A big part of my job this season has been to change mindsets. We need to focus on what we can do and what we can achieve.

“We may not have the financial resources of other clubs but we have plenty of talent in our squad with home-grown players coming through.

“We showed this season when winning at places like Esher and Black-heath the quality that we have.”

Despite losing their last seven home games, Wharfedale secured a mid-table position.

“We have finished ninth compared with 13th last season and secured our place in the division with games to spare. In my book that is progress,” said Feeley.

“I loved the quality we showed in some of our performances before Christmas, but I was disappointed that we couldn’t maintain the same levels in the New Year.”

“The complexion of the league changed. We suffered a number of injuries to key players at a time when many of our rivals were bringing in loan players from Premiership and Championship clubs.

“I do understand the frustration of our fans after seeing us lose seven-successive home league games, but I urge them to look at the whole picture. We have won four more games than last season, scored more tries, gained more points and secured more try bonus points.”