WHARFEDALE Rugby Club starts its pre-season programme this Saturday, August 10, with both the First Team and the Foresters in action at the Avenue against Blackburn RUFC.

Blackburn play their rugby in North West Division 1, only one division lower than Dale, and they have finished in the top three for the last few seasons only narrowly missing out on promotion to National 2.

The First Team sides at both clubs have met in pre-season for the last couple of years and the matches have always been close and entertaining. Both matches kick-off at 2pm.

Wharfedale Director of Rugby, Simon Verbickas, said: “We are hoping to build on our performances last season when we finished 4th in the league.

“Training has gone very well since we started in early July, and we are about to transition into game preparation.”

There are plenty of new players coming into the squad and Verbickas talked about some of those individuals.

“We have a lot of young players who are coming up from the juniors and colts and are exciting prospects.

“Some of the youngsters vying for a senior spot in the back row are Will Beacroft, Edward Swainson and Edgar Sumner. Sid Holden is a hooker who has played for North U20’s and there is also Jimmy Howarth in the backs.”

The backs will also be strengthened with additions to the club.

Rian Hamilton, after a stint with Cambridge in the Championship, has signed a two-year contract.

Jack Cherry is a strong and very fast centre who has joined from Sandal; he has experience in the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy and has also represented England Universities at Rugby League.

Luther Hall joins the Greens from neighbours Skipton and Alex Mountsey has committed to Wharfedale after leaving Sedbergh School.

Rowan Barker is the final addition, a tighthead prop who started as a youngster at Dale and is moving back as cover for Jake Armstrong and hoping to establish himself in the First Team.

Barker, who is moving from Ilkley RUFC, has played for Yorkshire U18’s and has played rugby for Bratislava Rugby Club in Slovakia.

The other preseason fixtures are – August 17 1st XV away at Sedgley Park: Foresters at home against Bishop Aukland. August 31: 1st XV and Foresters at home against Kendal.