Wharfedale’s players are being instructed not to ease off as they prepare to visit bottom team Hull Ionians on Saturday.

Their opponents haven’t won a game since gaining promotion to SSE National League One, but coach Jon Feeley is quick to dispel any talk of the Greens being hot favourites to win.

“The important message I shall be spelling out to the team is to produce the same intensity and quality of performance that saw us defeat Esher and Coventry in our last two home games," he said.

“We have to focus on the things we can control. If we approach the game with the right mental attitude and execute our plans, the result will take care of itself.”

Saturday’s 38-26 win over Coventry saw Wharfedale dominate for long spells, and only a late rally from the visitors gave them greater respectability.

The match was marred by some unseemly aggression and foul play by Coventry.

Their skipper Matt Tibbatts was yellow-carded for scuffling with Aaron Myers and was also seen landing punches on Wharfedale skipper Chris Steel without being punished.

“I was pleased with the way my players managed to control their tempers when Coventry became frustrated at being so outplayed,” added Feeley.

Wharfedale, who sprang a surprise by unveiling their latest signing, former England international Dan Scarbrough among their replacements, secured a bonus points with four tries before half-time.

Scarbrough, who has played for Leeds Tykes, Wasps and Racing Metro in France, was used in the second half.

“The average age of the back line before he came on was 22 and it was good to have somebody of his quality out there to help organise and direct play,” said Feeley.

Scarbrough, who is 35 and has just taken a teaching post at Bradford Grammar School, will make his full debut against Ionians, taking over from Lloyd Davies.

After last Saturday’s bruising match against Coventry, only hooker Ian Larkin is missing through injury, so Dan Stockdale gets a chance to start a match.

Wharfedale: Christian Georgiou; Dan Scarbrough, Joe Donkin, Tom Davidson, Josh Prell; Tom Barrett, Philip Woodhead; Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale, Chris Steel (captain), Richard Brown, Richard Rhodes, Jack Barnard, Aaron Myers, Rob Baldwin. Replacements: Jake Armitage, Neil Dickinson, Josh Burridge, Matt Dudman, Will Bell.