IF EVER one match showed the importance of keeping one’s collective concentration for 80 minutes, it was Wharfedale’s SSE National League One home clash against third-placed Rosslyn Park last Saturday.

The Greens lost 17-12, and that was directly due to a short spell during which No 8 Hugo Ellis scored two tries and winger Joseph Aluwa one up the slope.

Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley said: “We are frustrated that we didn’t win.

“Rosslyn Park won 45-3 at The Avenue last January and this time we held one of the best driving mauls in the division in the second half and came away disappointed that we didn’t triumph.

“But it boiled down to a small spell when we went to sleep and conceded all their points, and we are particularly disappointed with the second try.

“However, we didn’t give the game away after that and our defence was heroic in the second half against a team that are vying for promotion.

“It is a very thin line between success and failure but it is a measure of the lads that they were so frustrated that they didn’t win.”

Wharfedale’s doughty display was in no small part due to replacement prop Matt Freeman, who replaced Jake Armstrong at half-time.

Feeley said: “Their prop tried legal and illegal methods, such as pulling down his bind, to get the better of Matt but without success, and he will definitely be part of the first team this weekend for the game at Loughborough Students.

“Another factor was the return of Simon Willet, whose bulk pushing behind Matt was very helpful.”

While admitting that the line-out was a lottery due to a gale-force wind, although Park had two 6ft 7in forwards which certainly helped them, Feeley is keen to see to how his young squad are progressing after fixtures against Ealing Trailfinders (currently first), Coventry (second), Blackheath (fourth) and Rosslyn Park (third).

The trick for the Greens now is not to let their standards slip in the next four matches against teams in and around their 11th place, starting at Loughborough Students, who are 12th.

However, they must start that cluster of fixtures without both flanker James Tyson (ankle) and No 8 and line-out leader Josh Burridge (broken hand), with the latter likely to be in pot for four weeks.

Wharfedale welcome lock Willet back to their starting line up after proving his fitnesss off the bench last Saturday.

Alex Powell moves to No 8, with Jack Barnard starting at blind-side flanker in place of Tyson, whose ankle injury may be less serious than feared. Jim Mason comes on to the bench.

Taylor Prell is once again available and starts on the wing against a Students side who were defeated 38-30 at The Avenue in October.

Wharfedale: Lloyd Davies: Taylor Prell, Cameron Hudson, Tom Davidson, Oli Cicognini; Jamie Guy, James Doherty (c); Matt Beesley, Dan Stockdale, Jake Armstrong, Adam Howard, Simon Willet, Jack Barnard, Dan Solomi, Alex Powell. Replacements : Joe Altham, Ian Larkin, Mat Freeman, Jim Mason, Josh Prell.