WHARFEDALE will be hoping it is third time lucky as they prepare to play Stourbridge this Saturday at the Avenue.

The Greens’ original match with Stourbridge was scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 15, but Storm Ciara wrecked havoc and it was re-scheduled for the following weekend when Storm Dennis hit the UK.

The Greens, who have now lost two on the bounce after last weekend’s “frustrating” 19-14 loss to Chester, are currently 11th in National League Two North on 55 points, eight points clear of Otley in the third from bottom relegation place.

“I don’t look at the table because it won’t change anything in how we prepare,” said Wharfedale head coach Jon Feeley. “We still need to analyse the opposition to expose any weaknesses.

“This is going to be the third time we prepare to play Stourbridge at home (after two previous games were postponed because of the weather).

“They’re a team that’s similar to Chester in the forwards as they will have a size and weight advantage. They’re also effective in the back line.

“We need to take away their space at the ruck and make it difficult for them to get quick ball away and get any momentum.”

Feeley said the Greens’ players and coaches were “incredibly frustrated” last weekend by Chester’s tactics of retaining possession without gaining much ground.

“They had a weight and size advantage,” said Feeley. “They played very little rugby, but used their assets well.

“The boys were incredibly dejected in the dressing room after the game,” he added. “There was a feeling of injustice as there were a few key decisions out of our hands that we felt should have gone our way.

“We also made one or two handling errors in key positions, which we need to work on and correct.”

But Feeley was pleased with how well his team have been competing with some of the top sides in the National League Two North.

He said: “Although we didn’t the result we felt we deserved on Saturday, we’ve been consistently challenging the top teams in the league.”

Going into this Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 3pm at the Avenue, Wharfedale will be without second row Jamie Brookes, who broke his hand in the game against Chester.

“Unfortunately Jamie Brookes broke his hand and won’t be available this weekend, and he will probably be out for the rest of the season,” said Feeley. “This will be an opportunity for someone to come into the back row, where we have a number of options. Matt Beesley is returning to form and fitness and Joe Metcalfe has been doing a good job coming off the bench.”

After being unavailable last week, Feeley is hoping that Jack Blakeney-Edwards will return to the team this Saturday.

Tom Davidson, who took over the kicking duties in his absence last Saturday, is unavailable this weekend, as it club stalwart Rob Baldwin.