WHARFEDALE coach Jon Feeley was in a shattered changing room after their record-breaking 78-12 defeat to Ealing Trailfinders in SSE National League One last weekend.

Feeley revealed: "The players were really hurting. They have a lot of pride in themselves and a lot of pride in the shirt – but they were not blaming each other."

A less than ideal journey across London due to train cancellations and home advantage due to the artificial pitch could have been used as excuses by the Greens. But Feeley has basically having none of it.

He said: "We all went down on the same train to Kings Cross but had a nightmare getting across London and had to jump into some London cabs to get to the ground. But we were still there for twenty to two.

"We actually started the game very well. We had possession for many phases and probably should have scored. But Ealing were basically bigger, faster, stronger and more experienced and on this showing are champions elect.

"They play with a lot of pace and their pitch suits their style of play as it was very fast and hard. But we were without the ball for 75 per cent of the game and you cannot defend for that long.

"But it was a good learning experience for us and not one of the lads stopped trying. There are two ways that we can go now – we can hide or we can learn and move on. We'll do the latter."

Skipper James Doherty added: "We know the performance wasn't good enough and there needs to be a transformation.

"With the ball we were dangerous. We caused a good side some problems and created opportunities. However, without the ball we were second best."

Having faced Ealing, the Greens are now at home to second-placed Coventry, the only side so far to have toppled the Londoners.

The Dalesmen's selectors name the same line-up which started last week. However, Ian Larkin suffered an injury so six replacements are named, from which Saturday's final selection will be made.

Wharfedale (home to Coventry): T Prell; L Davies, C Hudson, T Davidson, O Cicognini; J Guy, J Doherty ; J Altham, D Stockdale, J Armstrong, A Howard, A Powell, J Barnard, J Burridge, D Solomi. Replacements (from): M Beesley, C Steel, J Tyson, N Myers, A Myers, J Prell.