Wharfedale have arranged three pre-season friendlies.
On Saturday, August 8, the Dalesmen welcome Scottish Premier Division Two champions Stirling County.
County, who won 18 of their 22 league matches last season, uniquely graduated from level seven of the Scottish game right to the summit, winning the Scottish Championship in 1995.
A community club, they have produced several internationals, including Alistair Hogg and Kenny Logan.
A week’s break will be followed by a visit to Preston Grasshoppers, who came to The Avenue last season.
Preston finished fourth from bottom of National Two (North) last season and, with only four victories from their 16 league matches in 2010, they will be looking to get the new season off to a better start and will provide their normal robust competition.
Finally, on August 28, Kendal visit for the Peter Kremer Trophy challenge match, named after the successful Kendal coach who died in his prime.
Kendal finished three places above Grasshoppers, but they too ended the campaign badly, with five successive defeats.
* Wharfedale Rugby Union Football Club announced a surplus of £2,949 for the year ending April 30, 2010 at their annual meeting last Thursday.
This brought their balance sheet, with everything paid for, to £41,000.
“There won’t be many rugby clubs in the country with that sort of figure,” said club secretary Antony Davies.
Gate prices for next season have been put up a pound to £9, with under-16s admitted free.
“One or two people felt that it shouldn’t have gone up but our £9 includes a programme and free parking so we are cheaper than many clubs.”
All the officials were elected en bloc, with the slight proviso that instead of David Procter and Chris Baker being named club chairmen, Procter will be club chairman and Baker the vice-chairman.
“They will still do the same jobs as before, however,” said Davies. “David will do the meet-ing and greeting and travel to away matches, while Chris will chair the meetings.”
Officials elected for 2010-11 – President, John Spencer; secretary, Antony Davies; chairman of rugby and fixture secretary, Michael Harrison; chairman, David Procter; vice-chairman, Chris Baker; treasurer, Alex Howarth; chairman of minis and juniors, Phil Birch; press officer, Chris Elwood; sponsorship secretary, James Maxfield; clubhouse bookings, Judith Wood; merchandising manager, Toni Birch; youth rugby development officer, Hedley Verity; subscription secretary, Stephen Brake; chairman marketing and advertising committee, Terry Bell; match programme editor, Gordon Brown; website design/technical, Gavin Horrocks.
* Stepping in at short notice to replace Doncaster was always going to be a tough task for hosts Wharfedale Under-16s against top-four Cheshire side Winnington Park, especially with players on county trials. However, the Dalesmen proved they were up to the task, only going down 19-14.
The early exchanges showed why the visiting props were in the Cheshire squad as they counter-rucked with real power and upset steady home ball.
A well-worked try by their centres, a maul that went from halfway deep into the Greens’ 22 and a strong front-five display brought brought Park three scores against a side who had people playing out of position.
Park led 19-0 at half-time, although strong tackling by Jack Thompson and Sam Heaton helped to keep the visitors out.
A good break from Theo Baker led to Harry Balderson being bundled into touch five metres short in the first half.
Max Mountain, supported by Will Hall and Danny Smith, gave the hosts good field position and, after a string of penalties in their favour, Mountain forced his way over, Ben Jeffery converting.
Then Baker’s good catch from the kick-off led to him breaking through the centre, quick ball giving Joshua Nkwo the chance to barrel through the cover defence then stretch out to score Jeffery added the extras.
It looked like the home side would engulf the tiring visitors but, with seconds left, Nkwo sliced through the middle only to be hauled down a metre short.
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