FOUR games into the National League Two North season, Wharfedale’s director of rugby James Doherty is trying to solve a puzzle.

The former scrum half is struggling to get his head around why his players are not as committed on the pitch as he was.

With last weekend’s 35-10 defeat at Tynedale making it three defeats and one victory in league matches in 2016-17, he is not about to give up on his squad or go into panic mode.

Doherty, who is in his first season in the job with the Greens, said: “There are two kinds of responses.

“One is emotional straight afterwards, and the other is later – more analytical, more technical, more tactical.

“No player has ever played the perfect game over 80 minutes, making no errors.

“I can live with that but what was very disappointing was that we seemed to lack energy and motivation.

“I was not the greatest player but I never struggled for energy and motivation once I got on the pitch, and I said that to press officer Chris Elwood afterwards, while Gordon Brown is also going to put something in the programme to that effect for tomorrow’s home match against South Leicester.

“Tynedale are one of the closest club to us in terms of budget and ethos, and it was disappointing to come off second best in every aspect. In my speech to the players afterwards on the pitch at Tynedale, I asked them to reflect on their game and their motivation as we seemed to lack any kind of spark.”

Wharfedale were relegated last season after a 20-year stay in National League One, and Doherty reiterated: “There is no way that we have underestimated National League Two North, there are no panic stations and the good thing about Wharfedale is that after a setback there is usually a response.

“But there are no walkovers in this division, and South Leicester will probably arrive as favourites, given that they beat Sale, who are one of the favourites for promotion, 42-39 at home last weekend.”

Wharfedale are still fifth from bottom, while South Leicester are seventh on 12 points, seven points and five places better off.

Otley, who beat Chester 15-10 last weekend to overtake them in the table, are at fourth-placed Caldy.

Bradford & Bingley have a comparatively stiffer task in North One East as they travel to unbeaten leaders West Hartlepool.

The Bees, who are sixth, have been disrupted for the past two matches by fly half Gerhard Nortier pulling out with a foot injury, but rugby chairman Martin Whitcombe said: “We would rather Gerhard be right than risk him unnecessarily.” They are without skipper Tom Booth, however.