Hedgley returns after suspension to give Wharfedale a lift

Hedgley has been suspended for his side’s last four National League Two North games after being sent off in the 39-27 defeat at Otley on September 10.

The young lock forward had an impressive first season with the club in 2015-16 and head coach James Doherty is a big admirer.

He said: “George is a class player and he made a big impact for us. It is good to have him back and available for selection again.”

Although his school commitments prevented him from travelling with the team for last Saturday’s 34-7 defeat at Luctonians, Doherty has watched the game through three times on video.

“Watching it through, I feel the scoreline isn’t a fair reflection of the game. I thought we did enough to get something out of the game,” he said.

“They had fewer opportunities but were more ruthless than us. We didn’t have that killer edge that was clear in our win over South Leicester the previous week.”

One area that Doherty is keen to see an improvement is his team’s defensive play. “It isn’t our defensive structure that is the problem, it is costly individual mistakes.

“A lot of it is down to missing one-on-one tackles. We cannot afford to drop off tackles and it is an area where individuals need to be braver.

“If we can get that right and improve our execution we will become hard to beat. The game is about small margins and we have to keep believing in ourselves and the style of rugby we want to play.”

Winger Josh Prell and hooker Jordon Poole picked up injuries in the Luctonians game so Scott Jordan switches to wing with Harry Bullough coming in at centre.

Poole is replaced by Dan Stockdale.

Wharfedale Robbie Davidson; Ralph Wellock, Harry Bullough, Tom Davidson, Scott Jordan; Jamie Guy, Will Lawn; Ian Larkin, Dan Stockdale, Toms Asejevs, George Hedgeley, Elliot Ward, Rob Baldwin (c), Lewis Wilson, Josh Burridge. Replacements James Huck, Matthew Close, Alistair Allen, Matthew Hall, Will Bell