WHARFEDALE coach Tom McGee has given his full backing to skipper Josh Burridge who was dismissed in the third minute of their 36-26 defeat at Darlington Mowden Park for kicking out as he went for the ball in trying to prevent a try.

Burridge has been handed a three-week suspension which starts with Saturday’s home game with Blackheath. He will also miss the trip to Ampthill and Rosslyn Park’s visit to The Avenue.

McGee said: “The referee was pretty clear with his decision but I didn’t see the incident at the time.

“I have seen a video clip of it, however, I know that Josh was sent off for stamping and made contact with the scrum half’s hand, which the referee interpreted as a deliberate stamp.

“It is unfortunate for Josh and unfortunate for us. But it all happened in a split second and he was going for the ball and there is no way that he is a dirty or malicious player.”

With Rob Baldwin serving the second week of his fortnight’s suspension, this means that the Greens will be without both against second-placed Blackheath on Saturday.

However, the Dalesmen showed their character by getting a four-try bonus point against Park with a late, late try by Matt van Sertima in what was a fractious encounter.

Wharfedale ended the match with 12 men and Park 13 after the double sin-binnings involving the visitors’ George Hedgley and Park lock Rob Conquest in the 78th minute, and the Greens’ Steve Graham and the hosts’ Garry Law a minute later.

McGee, added: “The officials could have done a better job there, and we were also disappointed in the way that they allowed Park to score two tries by walking and whipping the scrum, which cost us 12 points.

“If we had had more players on the field, the game would have been a lot closer and we felt we could have won it as Park do tend to leak points.”

McGee was delighted with the performance of one of his new boys. He said: “I know Jarad Williams as I signed him for Leeds Carnegie from Bishop Burton College, and maybe he was the only player on our team that would have scored the try that he did due to his power.”

Blackheath travel to the Avenue on Saturday in the latest episode of the longest-running series in the division, but never have they come in such high spirits, lying second in the league having only lost twice.

It might so easily have been three defeats. Back in October, Wharfedale lost 27-24 after the home fly half landed a penalty from inside his own half to win the match with the last kick.

Winger Dan Tai is available to return to the squad.

Wharfedale: Harry Bullough; Dan Tai, Cameron Hudson, Oliver Fewtrell, Philip Woodhead; Jamie Guy, James Doherty; Ricardo Cano, Jordon Poole, Chris Steel, Alex Powell, George Hedgley, Jack Barnard, Chris Howick, Jarad Williams.

Replacements (from): Matt Beesley, Joe Altham, Steve Graham. Ali Wade, Max Labasse, Matt van Sertima.