WHARFEDALE say farewell to one of their most dedicated and able players tomorrow when flanker Paul Evans runs out at The Avenue for the final time against Camberley in their National Division Two encounter.

Evans has decided to step down from rugby at this level and will probably play nearer to his Hartlepool home next season. One of the strong men in the Wharfedale pack, he leaves with generous tributes from coach Peter Hartley.

"I can't praise him highly enough," he says: "To call him a model professional is accurate in the one sense, but the implications of the term with regard to how he approaches his rugby are spot on. He came to us as an experienced player and his contribution his been enormous.

"He's probably been the most consistent player in the team this season and his loss to the side will be comparable with that of Charlie Vyvyan's departure. We are bound to miss him, not simply because he has supplied some timber to the pack, which we don't have a lot of by comparison with some teams, but because he's been such a good influence all round.

"He's a genuinely nice bloke who doesn't just turn up for the rugby. He's the kind of player and clubman you are always looking for in a newcomer and as a coach, he's been a pleasure to work with."

At the other end of the scale tomorrow, but with equal incentive to do well, will be Simon Walker, who is the back replacement and will play at fly-half if Andy Hodgson does not fully recover from a thigh strain.

If Walker is called up, he will be making his senior debut and will be keen to make a good impression, an ambition he will share with prop Philip Peel, who is no stranger to first-team duty, but gets a chance to further his rehabilitation at top level after a lengthy injury absence.

The Dalesmen are anxious to end their National Division Two season on a positive note against the relegation-domed men from the South East. After a month away from The Avenue and a fortnight without a game, the chance to get back into action, albeit in a low-key game, should provide enough incentive for everyone to ensure a decent finale to the league programme.

The question of the postponed Lydney game remains, of course, but the Gloucester men seem determined not to risk exporting any foot and mouth problems and provided they are prepared to accept the enormous weight of probability that they are going down, their wishes should be respected. A trip to Threshfield would be a nonsense in the circumstances.

From a Wharfedale perspective, simply getting a quality performance tomorrow to leave a sweet taste in the mouths of their loyal supporters is a valid objective. Restoring pride and self-esteem with the kind of display which properly reflects the calibre of the players involved should be another motivating factor, as will making sure Evans is able to enjoy a decent celebration to mark the end of his time up the dale.