HAVING conceded 105 points in two matches, it is understandable if Wharfedale were fearing the worst when they trailed 42-7 after an hour at Rosslyn Park last weekend in SSE National League One.

However, they won the final quarter 19-7 to not only earn a four-try bonus point but also give themselves a timely lift before hosting Loughborough Students on Saturday.

"It was important not only because of the bonus point, but also psychologically," says Wharfedale's rugby chairman Michael Harrison.

"However, we have several more steps to go before we get where we want to be but the way we ended the game was important before a series of winnable matches, starting with this weekend."

The students are one place and one point above 12th-placed Wharfedale, and Harrison added: "Our set-piece was much better against Park, who will be right up there at the end of the season.

"We scored three tries from driving mauls and our line-out was much improved too but our tackling still needs to be better as Loughborough have always had pacy backs."

Another boost for Wharfedale this week has been Taylor Prell, who is dual registered with Yorkshire Carnegie, being named in the England Under-20s elite player squad.

Harrison added: "We are delighted. Taylor, who can play either full back or wing, has natural speed and can step off either foot and his tackling will improve as he fills out, but his speed will get him to opponents so he can make a tackle whereas others might be reaching."

Carnegie Academy director Andy Rock says: "Taylor went well with England Under-18s last year and gets in this squad on merit.

"He will be a year young, but has a huge amount of potential, though he will have to work hard as there are a lot of good back-three players in the squad."