Greens in search of change in fortune

2:08pm Thursday 28th February 2008

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Wharfedale need a change in fortune when they host Blackheath in the National Division 2 at The Avenue on Saturday.

The Greens have been desperately unlucky to lose their last two away games, both to last-action tries by the opposition.

The most recent was last Saturday's heartbreak at Cambridge, where Wharfe-dale lost 33-32.

Greens' coach Peter Hartley said: "There was no shortage of effort and I can't complain about the performance. We just got off to a bad start and found ourselves 20-3 down within the first 18 minutes."

It has been one of those seasons for Wharfedale, as they have come up just short in their fair share of games.

Hartley said: "It was like that early in the season, then we had a little dip form but everything is coming back now. We just need a slight change in fortune."

However Hartley put a positive spin on Wharfedale's bad luck.

"You can't let it upset you. You've got to be better than the bad luck and the bad decisions.

"Good fortune and bad fortune happen within a season and within games.

"It will even out over a period of time. The secret is to keep playing and not feel sorry for yourself."

One of the positives to come out of the Cambridge game was two bonus points, which puts them six points clear of Henley, who are in the relegation places. Otley did Wharfedale a favour last Saturday, beating Henley 29-10.

Going into this Saturday's encounter with Blackheath, Hartley said: "We're playing at or near our best. We now have to do that every game from here on out. It's all about winning points."

The Greens lost 37-28 at Blackheath in November and will be looking to turn that scoreline around against the forward oriented team.

Hartley said: "They have a big pack and the some good quality and experience in the half backs."

The Wharfedale selectors are keeping faith with the side that came close to beating Cambridge for the important visit of Blackheath on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The only change is enforced, caused by the recurrence of Dan Hart's shoulder injury in making the try-saving tackle which would have put the match beyond Wharfedale.

Chris Malherbe, who narrowly failed a fitness test because of a muscle spasm in his hamstring last week, takes Hart's place on the left wing, leaving the number 13 shirt for Andy Hodgson, who caused repeated problems to the Cambridge midfield.

Blackheath lie on fourth place, but have lost their last two away matches, last time out by 40-10 at Cambridge.

Wharfedale: Adam Whaites; Chris Malherbe, Andy Hodgson, Andy Baggett (c), Simon Horsfall; Luke Gray, James Doherty; Tom Horner, Gavin Hindle, Chris Steel, David Lister, Oliver Renton, Alastair Allen, Sam Stitcher, Rob Baldwin. Replacements: Ben Fear, Titman Bryce, Anthony Capstick, Mark Bedworth.

Watch the Cambridge v Wharfedale game on the big screen at the clubhouse (kick-off 1.15pm) to warm up for the Blackheath match.