WHARFEDALE's current position at National Division Two leaves them facing a sequence of crucial games which seems likely to stretch to the end of the season, tomorrow's home game against Newbury at The Avenue having slightly more significance than the others because the Berkshire side are also in the relegation frame, (writes Tony Simpson).

This is not The Last Chance Saloon for the Greens, nor is the Fat Lady warming up in her dressing room, but time is running out and points are urgently needed.

Defeat tomorrow would be a massive blow to morale and self-confidence - as well as a mighty boost for fellow strugglers - and it might prove to be a fatal blow to the team's chances of escaping the drop.

There will be life after tomorrow, whatever happens, and further chances to escape. Launceston and Newbury cannot breathe easily for a while yet, no matter what the outcome at The Avenue, but a defeat would leave the Greens without one of the wins they will have targeted as a banker in their survival package.

The most frustrating aspect of the situation for the coaching team must surely be the capacity of the side to under-achieve. Last weekend they were blown apart by a Penzance team playing some very good rugby in the first-half, but anyone taking the trouble to check behind the veneer of the Pirates' dynamic faade would see familiar failings in the Dalesmen's performance.

Forget the calibre of the opposition. Some of the tackling was rank, while too often the handling was equally flawed.

The Dalesmen go into the game with one change to the side which finished the game against Penzance and that is the positional switch of Andy Hodgson to full-back.

Hodgson is without doubt the team's most potent attacking weapon, but having the scope to pick his moments is something he has had to sacrifice playing at fly-half and centre.

While Jonathan Davies has been running the ball back with more purpose and profit of late, his best work comes when he is counter-attacking rather than joining the line to free the wingmen.

Both Craig Eccleston and Gareth Johnston have looked dangerous with the little ball that has come their way of late and in making the switch, the coaching staff are presumably hoping that more penetration can be achieved when Wharfedale have control of possession.

With the remaining fixture matrix offering any number of possibilities, Wharfedale still have their fate in their own hands, but the clock is running down and a win tomorrow, which should be well within their compass, is vital.

Skipton take a respite tomorrow with no re-arrangements to contend with, but North Ribblesdale face an interesting test when they visit Ripon in a delayed Yorkshire Shield game.

The Settle side have Neil Gemmell back at scrum-half and hope to have Bryan McGeoch also resuming in a line-up which should contain a full-strength pack, but Jonathan Richards will now be an absentee from the centre after going to Scandinavia on a university course until the end of the season.

Wharfedale: A Hodgson; C Eccleston, A Baggett, J Davies, G Johnston; D Pears, S Cottrell; P Peel, J Ogden, N Dickinson, D Lister, A Capstick, P Evans, H Verity, B Wade. Replacements: C Ingram, J Metcalf, S Hargreaves, D Whitfield.

oMALHAM-based referee Chris Sharp has an international assignment tomorrow when he takes charge of the women's international between Wales and Spain at Cardiff Arms Park.