APART from an injury to prop Joe Altham last Saturday, Wharfedale had a successful weekend as they build-up to the new season in National League Two North.

Wharfedale Foresters defeated visitors Bradford Salem 28-24 on Friday night, while the Greens' first team triumphed 34-24 at National League One Blaydon the following afternoon.

The Dalesmen's head coach James Doherty said: "Joe has a knee injury which could keep him out for six to eight weeks, but we used 40 players over the weekend and gave most of them 50 to 60 minutes, while some of them played for 80 minutes.

"Fitness was good – we had 46 at training last Thursday and have regularly been getting 34 – and we are trying for a seamless approach for the first team and the second team so that things like the line-out calls are the same.

"We are trying to carry on the approach of Jon Feeley (the previous head coach) from the end of last season with a fast, skill-based ideology, but I don't want to dictate things.

"I want to leave the decision-making up to the players. For example, we scored one try from under our sticks on Saturday, and we will try and keep those principles throughout the season, although we may have to temper things a bit when it gets muddy in the middle of the winter."

Scott Jordan scored three tries in the win at Blaydon, but Doherty, whose player base will be widened when players such as Alastair Allen, Richard Rhodes, James Tyson and Tom Davidson are at full fitness, added: "None of them were solo efforts and he would not have scored those were it not for Tom Barrett, who showed a lot of character and whose distribution was excellent.

"We also played Jamie Guy at fly half on Friday and tried him at No 12 on Saturday."

Another to shine was 18-year-old second row Elliott Ward, and Doherty added: "Our line-out was working better than last season. Credit for that goes to coaches Hedley Verity, Lee Imiolek and John Metcalfe."

On Saturday, Wharfedale, who, for various reasons, are likely to be depleted, face more National League One opposition when Hull Ionians visit The Avenue (3.00).

Doherty added: "It is an interesting one because we beat them away last season but lost to them at home."

A week tomorrow (Friday, August 26), there will be a summer barbecue and dance at The Avenue (7.30pm), which is a major club fund-raiser.

Tickets, which will be on sale at training and on Saturday, cost £20, and they can also be ordered from press officer Ed Williams at Rectory Cottage, Burnsall, Skipton, BD23 6BP (please include your name and address).

Food packs are available, and music will be from the Audio Test Pilots.

Next Wednesday and Thursday (August 24-25), Wharfedale are holding a rugby summer camp for minis and juniors (10am-4pm).

Coaches signed up so far are James Doherty, Wharfedale and Ilkley's Steve Graham, Hedley Verity and RFU community rugby coach Neil Spence.

A booking form can be downloaded from the mini and junior section on Wharfedale RUFC's website.