WHARFEDALE have suffered another injury blow to their pack.

Second-row Simon Willett, who joined the Greens from neighbours Otley during the summer, left the field as early as the 24th minute last Saturday at home to Blaydon.

"He has a suspected broken collarbone," confessed Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley, "and it is a real shame as Simon has fitted in really well with our group.

"But Jim Mason came on to replace him and did really well. He had been waiting for his chance in the senior team and showed that he is up to the challenge."

Having lost 31-7 at next-to-bottom Old Albanians the previous weekend, there was never any doubt in Feeley's mind that his players would put things right against Blaydon.

Following the 15-12 SSE National League One victory at The Avenue, he said: "You could see it in training during the week and, although we left it late to get the winning try, we dominated territory and possession and I wasn't as tense as some people were.

"I was not worried about a loss of confidence after Old Albanians because there is no point in worrying about something that I believe we can fix.

"There was a determination to put things right. I could see it in training during the week, and the group of players that I have will never leave each other isolated.

"Their morale will pull them through, they back each other up and they have shown incredible resolve.

"Wharfedale is built on commitment and team spirit, and we are never a club that will say we are not paying players because they aren't putting in the effort."

The tenth-placed Greens are at third-placed Fylde on Saturday before embarking on a series of away matches against teams who are currently below them in the table, and home matches against teams who are above them.

Wharfedale visit next-to-bottom Cinderford, basement boys Macclesfield (16th) and Darlington Mowden Park (13th), but also have home matches against Richmond (fifth) and Esher (seventh) before Christmas.