10:52am Thursday 29th July 2010
Wharfedale will start their defence of the Yorkshire Cup with a home tie against their old rivals Otley.
But the first round ties has created a dilemma for the holders.
The Yorkshire Rugby Union want all first round ties played before september 15, but both clubs have no free pre-season Saturday dates.
With neither club wanting to change their pre-season programme or to play in midweek, they have agreed that their National league One fixture at The Avenue on September 11 will be a double header.
The decision has prevented the unwanted situation of one of the clubs having to withdraw from the competition.
Wharfedale will be hoping to end a dismal cup record against the cross Green outfit.
The Greens have never won a cup tie against Otley, losing twice in the Yorkshire Cup and twice in the National Cup.
The Greens have had the better of recent league encounters and that, plus their desire to retain the trophy they won for the first time, will drive them on when the sides meet.
Wharfedale’s squad are currently working hard in training under the guidance of their new coach Tom McGee.
The mood in the camp is one of optimism for the challenges that lie ahead.
Wharfedale will have pre-season matches to get in valuable match practice before their National League One programme opens with a long trip to redruth on September 4.
Stirling County are the visitors on August 14 while Wharfedale visit Preston Grasshoppers on August 21 before rounding off their preparations with a home game against Kendal.
Coach McGee has been busy strengthening his squad. Prop Ben Hooper has been recruited from from Leeds Metropolitan University, and is joined by fellow front-row man Ben Sowrey, from Harrogate.
He was in the Yorkshire Under-20 side that was captained by centre Tom Davidson, who returns to the Greens after a season on loan at Bradford & Bingley.
Blindside flanker David Hughes once with Worcester academy, has representative honours with North Midlands. He was voted Loughborough Students player of the year by his fellow players and coaches.
Winger Liam Ray returns to wear the green shirt he wore as a colt, and long-term injured Adam Whaites and Dan Hart are both training hard.
oSkipton start their pre season games on August 14 when they travel to Halifax for the Moya Childs Trophy which is also going to be a fund raising event for Jack Morgan.
There’s all sorts planned and it’s being billed as a family day out.
The following Saturday they are away at Fylde who revealed this week that England World Cup winner Jason Robinson is going to play for them this season.
The only home game is on Thursday August 26 when the RAF Eagles are the visitors.
The last warm-up game is on Sunday, August 29 at Keighley when the stand is being dedicated to Frank Whitcombe. The event starts at 1.30pm.
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