WATCHING or playing for Wharfedale at the moment is proving an exercise in frustration.

It is not just that the Greens have lost four straight matches to lie in the highest of the three National League One relegation berths.

It is more the manner of the defeats that have hurt so much.

Wharfedale coach Tom McGee was delighted with his team’s set-pieces in last weekend’s 30-8 defeat at Loughborough Students but disappointed that handling errors led to them conceding three second-half tries.

He said: “Our scrums were excellent. We had ten or 11 and won nine penalties, and we were 100 per cent on our own scrums and also won some of theirs.

“Our line-out was also great, and, with our set-piece functioning so well and with us defending very, very well, the game was there for the taking when we were only 10-3 down at half-time having played into the wind and rain.

“It was a game that was ours to lose but it is disappointing that we gifted them three tries, and that comes down to confidence and concentration.

“We failed to catch a high ball, had a kick charged down and spilled a pass.

“It is no fun for the players, coaches or the fans, but, and I know I am sounding a bit monotonous, it is about getting the basics right more often than not.

“We have been praised by opposition coaches in recent weeks about how we have played and, I know we are never going to get the perfect 80 minutes, but we are only playing well in patches when I know that we are capable of so much better.

“It is also frustrating for our backs coach Andy Hodgson.”

Heading into this weekend, Cinderford and Blaydon are on 13 points, while Wharfedale have 14, with Henley (16), Darlington Mowden Park (17) and Loughborough Students (17) just above them. Five of the bottom six are at home on Saturday, with the Greens having the toughest test against leaders Hartpury College.

They will go into action without No 8 Rob Baldwin who is injured.

Skipper Josh Burridge takes his position with George Hedgley moving to the blindside from the second row where he is replaced by Alex Powell.

Oliver Fewtrell starts on the wing while Steve Graham, back after two years coaching and playing at Ilkley, is on the bench along with the experienced Alastair Allen

Wharfedale: Harry Bullough, Josh Prell, Cameron Hudson, Huw Morgan, Oliver Fewtrell, Jamie Guy, Harry Skelton, Christopher Steel, Dan Stockdale, Chris Steel, Simon Willet, Alex Powell, George Hedgley, Chris Howick, Josh Burridge (capt). Replacements: Matthew Beesley, Steve Graham, Ali Wade, Alastair Allen, Matt van Sertima.