WHARFEDALE, who will be demoted from National League Two North if Luctonians notch a bonus-point win at home to champions Sale on Saturday, are on the look-out for a new head coach.

James Doherty, who has successfully recovered from his recent ankle surgery, is stepping down due to school commitments.

The announcement of Doherty's departure was made at last Friday's players' dinner in the clubhouse.

The 30-year-old explained: "It is due to my commitments at Sedbergh School.

"I am in charge of recruitment there and it will mean overseas trips to places such as Dubai, Hong Kong and Kenya in the foreseeable future, but I will still be coming back to Wharfedale when I can."

Rob Baldwin, who is replacing Michael Harrison as director of rugby next season, said: "We will be replacing James and have one or two ideas but it is still early in terms of getting a confirmation.

"Also Andy Hodgson will not be able to commit as much as he has in the past due to his son's rugby commitments, while Stevie Graham will be restricted by his rugby commitments to Rishworth School."

Doherty will not be the only person saying goodbye to The Avenue on a regular basis next season as it was also confirmed that centre Tom Davidson, as player-coach, and prop or lock Adam Howard have transferred to Preston Grasshoppers, while hooker Ian Larkin has found a teaching job in Dubai.

The Greens' future in Two North was almost secured last weekend.

Luctonians won 22-21 at Leicester Lions, but remarkably that included four tries, hence the bonus point.

A try by Charlie Meredith, with the last play of the match according to Baldwin, not only secured the Herefordshire club their victory but also that precious bonus point.

Baldwin added: "It goes to the last week and we understand that Sale will be putting out a strong team but the question is how much training have they been doing since they won the title?"

Three Wharfedale players – James Tyson, Josh Burridge and George Hedgley – were in the Yorkshire side that defeated Cheshire 34-27 at New Brighton on Saturday, while on the sidelines were assistant coach Baldwin and Greens' physiotherapists Jill Alexander-Riley and Rachel Galley

"The trio all played well," admitted Yorkshire's assistant coach Baldwin, "and Cheshire had one of the bigger packs that we will come up against."

Yorkshire, coached by former Greens coach Jon Feeley, face Northumberland at Scarborough on Saturday (3pm).