AFTER suffering a second straight narrow defeat, Wharfedale’s head coach James Doherty is urging his players to keep their attacking intent.

The 20-17 loss at bottom club Harrogate, who now only trail the Greens on points difference, followed their 23-21 setback at home to Leicester Lions the previous weekend.

However, Doherty, whose team outscored Harrogate by three tries to one, said: “The worst thing that we can do now is go into our shells.

“It is not a matter of putting in more effort, we just have to be a little smarter in what we do and, although we are where we are in the table, I am not worried about it because we are starting to get some players back now.

“Richard Rhodes has returned to give us his experience, and hopefully Tom Barrett, Joe Altham and Ian Larkin will be available for us at home to Sale on Saturday, as will our Latvian trio (Tom Davidson, Robbie Davidson and Toms Asejevs).

“Joe had his foot stood on last weekend but went for an X-ray and nothing was fractured, while Ian got a blow on the head and is being assessed for concussion.

“Although we had to go to uncontested scrums at Harrogate, it wasn’t because of any scrum-related injuries, and although David Doherty scored all of their 20 points, he wasn’t the reason that they won.

“It was down to their pack, who controlled the ball superbly, but what frustrates me is that we defended for 25 phases and got possession, only to knock on, which meant a scrum, which we were then penalised at, so they marched us downfield in two plays after all that defence.”

What pleased Doherty last weekend was his team’s defence – they only conceded one try, despite Harrogate having 75 per cent territory and 75 per cent possession in the second half (Wharfedale reportedly made an astonishing 112 tackles to Harrogate’s 20) – the fact that they outscored Harrogate three tries to one, and the form of the back row.

He said: “Our defence was outstanding, while our back row (last weekend it was George Hedgley, Josh Burridge and Lewis Wilson) has been outstanding all season, and is a real area of strength throughout the club.

“What we could do with now is pulling off one of those famous Wharfedale victories, such as against Doncaster and Esher.”

Wharfedale welcome back Tom Barrett at stand off which means that Jamie Guy moves to centre.

Harry Bullough switches to fullback with Scott Jordan moving to his natural position on the wing.

Will Lawn resumes the scrum half duties while in the pack Toms Asejevs returns at prop and Richard Rhodes gets a start in the second row.

Wharfedale: Harry Bullough, Scott Jordan, Huw Morgan, Jamie Guy, Oliver Cicognini, Tom Barrett, Will Lawn,Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale, Toms Asejevs, Elliott Ward, Richard Rhodes, George Hedgley, Lewis Wilson, Josh Burridge (c), Replacements: Jordon Poole, James Huck, George Altham, Alistair Allen, Robbie Davidson