Successive doubles, albeit against sides at the foot of the table, make for a promising start to the New Year for Wharfedale RUFC.

With the welcome return of key performers like Chris Steel and Chris Malherbe from long-term injury, Alistair Allen from exile and players such as Richard Brown and Adam Mason maturing fast with more exposure to first-team experience, the team is resembling something like its full strength look.

The squad inherited from the departed James Tiffany by new coach Jason Strange, who joins Alex Howarth and Hedley Verity, is indeed looking promisingly healthy.

Though with away trips to Redruth and rampant leaders Esher in the immediate offing and then the exciting London Scottish appearing at the Avenue there are a tough and demanding few weeks ahead. Wharfedale make three changes to their starting line-up for the long trip to Redruth on Saturday.

Luke Gray, whose performance from the bench in the past two matches cannot be ignored, begins at full-back, Andy Hodgson moving to the centre, with James Tincknell stepping out to the wing.

Simon Horsfall makes room by moving to the bench.

In the pack, farmer Neil Dickinson is unable to travel, so makes way for the increasingly impressive Adam Mason. Chris Steel makes his first start after his recovery from last September’s injury, Mark Chivers moving to the bench.

Redruth lie in eighth place, their season reflecting poor away form but customarily impressive statistics at home. On the road, their win at Nuneaton has been their only success from eight attempts, but in their Cornish fastness their only defeats have been at the hands of Esher, London Scottish and Launceston.

At the Avenue back in October, their defensive qualities kept Wharfedale’s victory down to 28-21, and last season Dave Hall’s late try gave the Greens their first ever win at Redruth, a feat they will be determined to repeat.

Wharfedale: Luke Gray; James Tincknell, Andy Hodgson, Chris Malherbe, Ian Dixon; Mark Bedworth, Sam Cottrell; Adam Mason, Gavin Hindle, Chris Steel, Oliver Renton, Alastair Allen, Latu Maka’afi, Dan Solomi, Rob Baldwin (c). Repl: Mark Chivers, Steve Graham, Richard Brown, Dan Matthews, Simon Horsfall.

The Foresters Friday home fixture against Rotherham Academy has been cancelled to allow the visitors to catch up with some postponed league matches. To keep the pot boiling, a non-league fixtrue has been arranged against Otley at Cross Green, on Saturday, kick-off 2.15pm.

The Development XV host Ripon with a 2.15pm kick-off.

An RFU Disciplinary panel rescinded the yellow card awarded against Rob Baldwin, for striking in the game against Launceston, on the grounds of mistaken identity.