WHARFEDALE have suffered many dark clouds this past season, but there have been some silver linings.

Most of those dark clouds have been caused by injuries but coach Jon Feeley said: "Lesser groups and lesser clubs would have been relegated, but I wish there was more of the season to go because of the way the younger players have come on, and that has been the most pleasing aspect.

"And we have secured our status for the second successive season with over a month to go."

No player has embraced the greater responsibility more than Josh Burridge but Feeley laughed: "Rob Baldwin has been on social media recently telling Josh not to get too comfortable in that No 8 shirt as he will be back next season!

"And the other back-rowers – Jack Barnard and Dan Solomi – have been impressive too, and we also have two players in the front row at the age of 22 in Matt Beesley and Jake Armstrong."

Nothing has summed up the adversity suffered at The Avenue this season than the fact that they have used six fly halves this campaign. Feeley's wish that the season could continue is backed up by the burgeoning half-back combination of James Doherty and Jamie Guy.

Their understanding has been borne out of playing as a combination, which is something Wharfedale have rarely had the luxury of in 2014-15 but the way the youngsters have emerged will stand them in good stead for next season when the injured players return.

As for matches that stand out in an SSE National League One season where the Greens finished 11th, Feeley said: "We probably saved the best until last with the victory over Hartpury College (29-3 home win on April 25) but the double over Darlington Mowden Park, and particularly the away win (27-26 on December 20 to follow the home win by 32-18 on September 13), stand out."

Doherty was still suffering from headaches this week after being tip-tackled late during last Thursday's Yorkshire Cup final defeat against Harrogate at West Park Leeds but hopes to have recovered sufficiently to attend Wharfedale's annual dinner tomorrow night in the clubhouse.