WHARFEDALE gave coach Tom McGee the finest of home send-offs last Saturday with a 21-15 victory over second-placed Blackheath in National League One.

The 36-year-old is going back to Scotland to be operations manager of New Wave Foods in Wick.

"It sources local produce, such as seaweed and shellfish, and it is a family decision to go there," said Thurso-born McGee.

"My wife Julie has followed me around for 16 years, so it is probably the most unselfish decision I have made in my life.

"Julie comes from Canisby, near John O'Groats, so we will be going back to where she is from, along with our rugby-mad sons Rory, seven, and Duncan, three."

However, McGee is not turning his back on rugby union completely.

He said: "I have offered my services in whatever capacity to my local club Caithness, and I am looking forward to helping them out where needed."

But McGee, who has been in charge of the Greens twice, knows that he has been involved in a special club in Wharfedale.

"Players like James Doherty epitomise the club in terms of its honesty, its energy, its passion.

"He was black and blue after the Darlington Mowden Park game the previous weekend, but played against Blackheath.

"Another example was Chris Howick at half-time last weekend. His ankle was injured and his fingers were bust, so I told Matt Beesley that he was going on.

"But Chris said 'I am going back on'. His ankle was strapped up and his fingers were taped together and he played for the next 40 minutes."

The match was also memorable for the Avenue roar, and McGee said: "The passion of the fans is one of the things that makes Wharfedale unique.

"They will back you as long as you give 100 per cent.

"We have turned over big teams before at The Avenue and put in some really poor performances against other teams.

"What we are seeking is that middle ground, that more consistent performance.

"We are always going to have experienced players like James Doherty and Rob Baldwin but we are also always going to have inexperienced local players because we don't pay money, but it is a privilege to have been involved with the lads and the club.

"We don't need to seek a replacement for me as we have enough there already to carry things on with Jon Feeley, Andy Hodgson, Hedley Verity, Alex Howarth and Dave Whitfield."

Wharfedale's team at sixth-placed Ampthill on Saturday that hope to give McGee a final flourish as coach includes Phil Woodhead, a late withdrawal from last week’s original selection, on the wing in an otherwise unchanged back division.

In the pack, Baldwin returns to action after suspension, but this time at lock so as not to disturb last week’s outstanding back row.

Although the teams currently below Wharfedale in the table have matches in hand, the five-point margin above the drop zone has given the Greens the impetus they require to continue their climb up the league.

Wharfedale (at Ampthill): H Bullough; P Woodhead, C Hudson, O Fewtrell, D Tai; J Guy, J Doherty; R Cano, J Poole, C Steel, R Baldwin, G Hedgley, J Barnard, J Williams, C Howick. Replacements: M Beesley, S Graham, A Wade, A Powell, M van Sertima.