WHARFEDALE president John Spencer has highlighted three areas in which they must improve following their opening-day 20-12 home defeat to Preston Grasshoppers in National League Two North.

"It was a disappointing performance, and we need to be more accurate and we need to be more aggressive," said the 69-year-old.

"Also we have to improve our set-piece. The scrum was the most disappointing feature of our game, and if you are not controlling your set-piece then it is very difficult to win matches.

"But we were leading in the second half, and the sin-binning (of replacement prop James Huck) cost us two men due to the new regulations regarding uncontested scrums, and it is very difficult to defend with two men less, and we conceded two quickfire tries after that.

"The weather was not favourable to the way we wanted to play either, and if we could control the weather we would be a lot higher up the table, but we are only one game into the new season.

"The remedy is accuracy and hard work, and the team spirit is as good as I have ever known it at Wharfedale as there has been no relegation hangover after last season."

While giving a pat on the back to those who played to 100 per cent of their ability last Saturday, Spencer added: "We were missing experienced injured players in Chris Steel, Richard Rhodes, Dan Solomi, James Tyson, Rob Baldwin, James Doherty, Phil Woodhead and James Tincknell."

On Saturday, Wharfedale make the short trip to Otley (2.00), who also lost their first match, 27-3 at Sale.

Spencer said: "Otley are old friends of ours and we are very much looking forward to going there.

"But we should remember that perseverance is not a long race.

"It is a lot of short races that come one after another, so we will be taking things a game at a time."

The last time that the teams met in a competitive game was a thrilling Yorkshire Cup final at the end of the 2013-14 season, which Wharfedale won 34-29 at a sunlit Wagon Lane.

As far as league matches are concerned, however, Wharfedale have won eight and Otley five, with one drawn.

At Cross Green, however, Otley hold a 4-3 advantage.