NO coach wishes his side to go through adversity but Wharfedale's Jon Feeley recognises that his side are stronger for the trials and tribulations they have suffered in the first half of the season.

The Greens even managed to be a man down before their SSE National League One campaign started.

Feeley explained: "Second row Anthony Oxley joined us from Old Crossleyans but in his first pre-season match, after playing really well, he broke a bone in a shoulder.

"We also lost Rob Baldwin (for the season in late September after damaging medial and anterior cruciate ligaments at home to Ealing Trailfinders), and for a time we were without a genuine No 7 with Chris Howick, Tom Burridge and Dan Solomi all out injured.

"That meant that we didn't have the impact at the breakdown that we hoped we would have but we developed a stronger team spirit, and now, with Chris regaining his fitness and doing well for the Foresters against North Ribblesdale on Boxing Day and Dan scoring three tries and playing well against Darlington Mowden Park on December 20, we have real competition for places."

Also the Adam Howard factor has been added to the equation.

Feeley said: "He started the season at prop but has been so good in the loose that we had to find a place for him in the team, so we have also played him in the second row and the back row.

"Similarly Lloyd Davies has played at full back, fly half and on the wing. These players just want first-team rugby so badly, and if we hadn't gone through that adversity, I don't think we would have got those 15 points from our last three league matches before Christmas."

Feeley also had a word about lock Simon Willet.

"He played against North Ribblesdale and needed the run out but the game also proved what fine players we have in the Foresters and how everyone will have to fight for their place in the first team."

Injuries apart, however, there has been the odd mental dip, and the biggest for Feeley was the 52-12 home defeat against Blackheath.

He said: "We were at a real low point because of injuries, and we have a lot more to do, but from that point onwards we found players who can compete at this level."

Wharfedale are back in league action this weekend at home to Tynedale, where they lost 20-17 in late September.

"That was a mixed day," said Feeley, "and we lost Scott Jordan early on to an asthma attack.

"Tynedale have been doing a lot of defensive work with Graham Steadman (Newcastle Falcons' defensive coach who used to play for Cleckheaton), and we found it difficult to break them down but we will be using a similar squad to that which played against Darlington Mowden Park."