DAVID Pears said 'I will' twice last weekend, once to his bride Sally and a second time to her uncle Michael Harrison, the second affirmative being to confirm to the Wharfedale Director of Rugby that he will be playing for the Greens again during the coming season, (writes Tony Simpson).

Honeymoon duties prevent him from appearing in the two warm-up matches against Kendal tomorrow and Halifax next Saturday, but he will be in the frame for selection for the opening game at home to Nuneaton on September 6.

"He finished the season really well for us and was the key player in the win at Harrogate," says Harrison. "He's been training down in London and reckons he'll be fit enough to go straight into action.

"Apart from having his experience in a key position, it also means that we can keep Andy Baggett and Chris Malherbe together in the centre, where they formed such a good partnership last season."

Pears' decision to continue travelling North to play for the Greens is another boost for the club after the confirmation that Ben Wade and Tony Jackson will be available for back-row duty.

Further good news comes from fitness reports in flanker Hedley Verity and full-back Andy Hodgson, who will both play in the game against Kendal at Mint Bridge tomorrow (3pm).

"I plan to give Hedley and Hodge a spell of competitive action tomorrow," says the Wharfedale chief. "Both have been taking full contact in training without any adverse effects and tomorrow's game is a chance to ease them back into full action tomorrow.

"While the trip to Mint Bridge is part of our build-up to the new season, will not take the shape of a trial game. We are taking 23 players and while the replacement arrangements may be loosely translated, the game will comprise two 40 minute sessions as normal, with all the other elements of a fully-fledged game.

Apart from Pears, David Lister will be an absentee tomorrow as a result of holiday commitments, while David Whitfield has indicated that he wants his duties as captain at Upper Wharfedale CC to take priority and has been given permission to do so.

"Preparations for the new season have been going very well, with good attendances at training and plenty of enthusiasm in the camp." says Harrison.

"It seems that the momentum we built up in the last month of last season has stayed with us and the mood in the club is very good."