WHARFEDALE are looking forward to the kind of scenario that produced their outstanding win over Plymouth when they entertain Orrell, currently the best side in National Division Two, at The Avenue tomorrow (2.30), (writes Tony Simpson).

In snooker parlance, the game represents another of those special 'shot to nothing' affairs, with no serious pressure for points to inhibit performance and the chance of glory to draw the very best out of the Dalesmen.

While the mechanics of the game may be quite different, the overall situation is one which proper sportsmen the world over relish. Appreciative audiences are not far behind.

Plymouth, of course, are still top of the pile and with two matches to play against the resurgent Orrell, may yet prove to have enough extra bite up front to take the title.

But since the arrival of David Whelan's brass, the mood at Edge Hall Road has changed dramatically.

Orrell supporters on the terrace side have warmed to the Wigan take-over because they see a future and a return to the glory days when the head-line stars from Leicester, Bath, Harlequins et al were regular visitors to their lay-by on the M6.

And without doubt, Orrell are currently playing the most attractive brand of football in the division, with easily the most accomplished back division piling up the points. When they were beaten 44-16 at Edge Hall Road in October, the Dalesmen did a very passable job for 50 minutes in terms of dominating the ball supply and screwing the game down with a no-frills pick-and-drive approach.

It was dour and grey and tedious and effective. For 50 minutes. Wharfedale's problems arose when they decided that having coped well into the wind, they ought to harness the elements to pin Orrell down deep in their own half.

The theory was savagely undone by Orrell's ability to exploit broken play situations no matter where they occurred. The proximity of their own try line had no impact on the home side's strategy, with fly-half Phil Jones orchestrating a high-speed back division where the lines of running and the quality of the handling left the willing Dalesmen struggling to get a hand on the ball carrier.

The arrival of Gary Connolly from the Warriors has provided an added gem in an already glistening crown. His presence tomorrow adds lustre and an extra challenge. He may not be making breaks at every turn and carving out openings, but his presence is bound to give players around him extra space and time.

All of which adds up to a very tasty prospect. It seems unlikely that Wharfedale will try to match fire with fire and spread the ball around as they did in seeking to deny the Plymouth heavyweights. The Greens will probably view the Orrell pack as the weakest link and seek containment by denial. The key question is if - and for how long - they can keep Orrell under control.

The only change to line-up scheduled to play at Stourbridge last weekend sees prop Philip Peel restored to front-row duties.

Wharfedale: J Davies; G Smithson, A Hodgson, D Whitfield, C Burnett; N Heseltine, D Harrison; P Peel, J Lawn, N Dickinson, D Lister, A Capstick, P Evans, H Verity, S Allen. Replacements: C Ingram, J Ogden, P Hargreaves and A Baggett.