THE Avenue may not have been a fortress this season but Wharfedale are being asked to deliver one of their special home performances on Saturday.

The Greens, who are 11 points from safety in National League One with five matches left, are running out of time to secure a 21st successive season in the third tier.

They face leaders Richmond on Saturday, but, despite only winning three of their 12 home league games in 2015-16, Wharfedale have previous when it comes to toppling the division's top teams at home.

In December 2013, champions to be Doncaster were beaten 19-17, while Esher, who finished second in 2012-13, were defeated 18-15 also at Threshfield.

As recently as 2011-12, six of the top eight sides returned from Wharfedale with their tails between their legs, and Wharfedale's chairman of rugby Michael Harrison can think of five good reasons why it can happen again this weekend, especially if they take the positives from their defeat at second-placed Hartpury College.

He said: "Confidence is a big part of it – we know we have beaten sides like this before and we can do it again."

However, he knows that playing it safe won't cut it, adding: "We are going to have to be adventurous and score tries."

Harrison also cranked up the atmosphere by asking for the Avenue roar, saying: "Our team spirit is important, as are the supporters.

"Also we need a big crowd down there as they can be our 16th man, or our 21st man if you like."

Richmond won 34-24 against the Dalesmen on the opening day of the season, and Harrison said: "They have no glaring weaknesses and are just a good, all-round side.

"Their scrum half and their back three are also very good."

While the Greens have been stuttering this season, the same can also be said of the inaugural Northern Pilot League, which Harrison did so much to set up.

For example, Darlington Mowden Park have pulled out of the beefed-up fledgling league for second teams, although thankfully Wharfedale Foresters' postponed match at Harrogate has been re-arranged for Saturday, April 30.

Harrison said: "I hope that the league continues as it has created quite a buzz at the club.

"Maybe some of the teams need to change or maybe it should be played before Christmas rather than after, but these decisions are not up to me, they are up to Twickenham."