WHARFEDALE kick off their National league Two North campaign with a home clash against Preston Grasshoppers.

After being relegated last season, The Greens will be keen to make a good start under the direction of their new coach James Doherty.

Opponents Preston finished in ninth place last season by securing 12 wins and three draws and are facing Wharfedale for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign.

Wharfedale have won five out of the eight previous meetings between the sides – recording victories in all four home games.

Grasshoppers have a long history and were founded in 1869 but troubled times led to them being reformed in 1900 as the team we now know.

The 1996-77 season saw a record attendance of 3,000 at Lightfoot Green as Hoppers progressed for the first time to the fifth round of the Pilkington Cup ford a meeting with first division Northampton.

Their most famous son player was second row Wade Dooley who won 55 England caps.

Grasshoppers were relegated to National League Two North in September 2005 and have stayed at the level since.

Head coach, Gareth Dew played for Sale Sharks, Manchester and Sedgley Park before finding his way up the M6 to Preston.

On a more general note we shall be meeting 9 teams for the first time in league rugby. Caldy, Chester, Hinckley, Leicester Lions, Luctonians, Sale FC, Scunthorpe, Sheffield Tigers and South Leicester. To date we have met 96 different clubs, so our game against Sheffield Tigers on October 15th will be the 100th club we have played a league fixture against.