WHARFEDALE keep faith with the side which served them so well against Pertemps Bees last weekend when they entertain Esher tomorrow in the resumption of National Division Two league rugby.

That situation means that the Greens will have an additional figure in the dressing room at pains to point out that an unbeaten run of league games and a creditable showing last weekend must not give rise to any hint of complacency.

The Bees gave a classic demonstration last weekend of what can happen when you start to believe your own publicity and the biggest threat to the Greens losing their unblemished league record is that they are guilty of the same failing.

Which is where fly-half David Pears comes into the equation. He will be able to remind his team-mates of the outcome of last season's matches between the sides and how Esher collected a double.

Pears was in the Surrey side's ranks on each occasion and should swell the vocal reminders that nothing must be taken for granted.

"I was happy with last week's performance," says coach Peter Hartley. "We deserved a narrower margin of defeat for the way we played.

"They made the mistake of underestimating us by starting with a weakened side and then trying to strengthen. They were a workmanlike side, but you couldn't see a league of difference between us.

"I had concerns about the outcome because a year ago, the cup threw up some almighty thrashings at this stage when the bigger clubs came in and I didn't want that to happen. Before the game I would have been content with getting away with an honourable defeat and no injuries and that's what we achieved."

Hartley, however, has already pressed the red alert button in the aftermath of Saturday's game and warned his players about the need for the right attitude tomorrow and the right level of performance.

"Esher arguably got a better result than us at Wakefield last weekend and having beaten us twice last season, they will not be worried about coming to The Avenue.

"We have to look at what we have achieved so far and in doing well last weekend as setting a benchmark for future performances. Our chief failing in the past has been our inability to step onto the plate and delivery our best often enough.

"Last weekend and Newbury apart, we still haven't confronted the sides who are likely to be the title contenders, but they are starting to appear.

"Esher must be one of the better sides in the league and we need another good display. We still have a lot to prove to ourselves."

Only personnel change from last week is that hooker James Ogden is available again from work commitments and takes his place on the replacement bench.

Wharfedale; A Hodgson; P Salashouri, A Baggett, C Malherbe, G Johnston; D Pears, S Cottrell; P Peel, G Hindle, C Ingram, A Capstick, D Lister' T Jackson, H Verity, B Wade. Replacements: J Ogden, N Dickinson, P Evans, D Whitfield.