Wharfedale Foresters' pre-season home match against North Ribblesdale has been brought forward 24 hours to tonight (7.30) to enable the visitors to field their strongest side.

As last season moved into its final phase, North Ribblesdale were anchored at the foot of the SSE Yorkshire Division One table, a five-point deduction adding to their woes.

But the return of Adam Whaites to the cause, after a number of seasons as the Greens’ first-choice attacking full back, seemed to give the side the impetus they were lacking, and Ribb won eight of the last nine matches, six of them with try-scoring bonuses, to finish comfortably in mid-table.

The Foresters began their season’s preparations last week with a trip to Stourbridge, where they won by the ominous score of 74-5.

The bulk of that side is named for this evening’s match, giving the home fans a first look at several newcomers, alongside several youngsters coming through the ranks and more recognisable returning old hands.

Foresters: James Druce; Maxime Labasse, Robbie Davidson, Ben Booth, Ralph Wellock; Harry Bullough, Harry Skelton; Ricky Cano, Jake Parkinson, Ali Wade, Simon Borrill, Tom Baines, Tom Whyte, Nathan Myers, Alastair Allen. Replacements: George Altham, Jake Starkey, Morgan Davies, Sam Smith, Jack Kitching, Philip Woodhead, Will Bell, Andy Rhodes, Will Davidson, Ben Parkinson.

North Ribblesdale: Adam Whaites; Ryan Gill, Steve Moon, Matthew Dakin, David Fox; Mick Thwaite, Peter Cook; Chris Lambert, Matthew Spears, Richard Lyne, Richard Wood, Will Thwaite, Andy Thwaite, John Padley, Mick Carr. Replacements: Angus Carr, Alan Newhouse, Graham Newhouse, John Thwaite.