WHARFEDALE will be looking to continue their excellent attacking form and improve their ball retention as they get set to take on a physical Chester team this Saturday.

Wharfedale coach Jon Feeley said: "The way we started the game caught the opposition cold, and they struggled to deal with our pace.

"Our first try was the result of persistent pressure and the other involved great pieces of skill by Rian Hamilton, Josh Prell and Harry Bullough.

"We showed how well we could play as an attacking unit."

Feeley said the Greens applied excellent pressure in the first half to take a 19-7 lead into the break.

But he added: "In the second half, our ball retention was poor and we invited pressure from Hinckley."

However, Feeley was very pleased by the play of the Greens' defence.

"Our consistent defence throughout, in addition to some good attacking play, won us the game."

Feeley also praised the play of Rob Baldwin, who was star man for the second week running.

Feeley said of Baldwin, who also serves as the club's director of rugby: "Rob leads from the front and like last week's game against Stourbridge, he had a big influence on the game, not only in the loose where he carried the ball so well, but he also stripped the ball from the Hinckley winger to set up one of the tries.

"As a player, Rob is outstanding for us," added Feeley.

The Greens are now preparing to play this Saturday's game at Chester, one the many grounds where they play on an artificial 3G pitch.

"Like matches at Stourbridge, Preston and Loughborough, it's one of the many games we play on a plastic pitch," said Feeley, who prefers a grass surface. "The bounce of the ball is very different on an artificial surface and players are more susceptible to suffer ankle or knee injuries."

One player who suffered a recurrence of a knee injury at the weekend, Ben Blackwell, will face a fitness test in training this week to determine if he is available to play.

Blackwell was in fine form last season before suffering a knee injury in February, which prematurely ended his 2018/19 season.

"He saw last Saturday's game out, so it will be an injury to monitor," said Feeley, who was pleased to welcome back George Hedgley, who returned from a back injury and was influential against Hinckley at the weekend.

"George made a big difference in the scrums and line-out," said Feeley.

Chester, who were one of the National League Two North title challengers last season, find themselves in 11th place this season, two places and three points behind Wharfedale, who are ninth.

Speaking about Chester, Feeley said: "This game was one of greatest injustices last season, as we had a winning try ruled out.

"Chester are one of the more direct and physical teams that we play, so we'll be looking to counteract that," he said.

The match at Chester kicks off at 3pm this Saturday.