WHARFEDALE head coach James Doherty has revealed that he is generally content after their victory at home to Kirkby Lonsdale last Saturday.

"We made a few handling errors, which is typical of a pre-season friendly, and we butchered a few scoring opportunities, but my overall emotion was definitely happy," said Doherty of their 17-7 triumph over the unbeaten North One West champions of 2016-17.

"A lot of lads were unavailable for various reasons, such as holidays, stag dos etc, and it was good for us to give game-time to some of the new lads, the returnees and the young lads who are coming up from the colts."

Wharfedale's tries came from Jake Parkinson, Joel Gill and Josh Prell, and Doherty was not only pleased with each of their five-pointers, but also the fact that they came in different manners.

He said: "Joel's was from third phase, Jake's was from first phase, which is something that Hedley Verity has been working on, and Josh's came from a piece of individual brilliance where he handed off about four players.

"Our playing philosophy next season will be much the same as last season's, but will have a bit more structure to it."

Wharfedale have their second and last pre-season game on Saturday at National League One Hull Ionians, and Doherty said: "Different lads are available and unavailable, but we hope to have flanker James Tyson back, which will be great as he has been injured so often over the past two seasons.

"We will also include lock Kieran Frost, who was also in the squad for last night's Wharfedale Foresters match at Bradford Salem."

Another pre-season boost has been that the Greens' four main sponsors – Oldfields Electrical, In-site Property, Healthcare House and Brook Taverner – have not only renewed but increased their commitment.

Doherty said: "This is great news. I have spoken to all of the main sponsors over the summer and it shows that we – volunteers included – are all in this together."