DAVID Pears returns to The Avenue tomorrow when he attempts to steer Esher to victory over Wharfedale in National Division Two.

The former Dalesman leads a side in buoyant mood after their 19-7 win over Harrogate last week and coach Peter Winterbottom will be hoping that the victory, coupled with Wharfedale's reverse at Launceston, will produce a winning combination.

Wharfedale coach Michael Harrison, in contrast, looks back over a good record against the Surrey side to retain an optimistic mood, although he recognises that the Greens face a stiff test.

"They have produced some very attractive rugby in the past, but it seems that they now have some strength up front to complement those talents," says Harrison. "They obviously did a good job against the Harrogate pack."

The Dalesmen make one enforced change to the line-up which was on duty at Launceston, with flanker Hedley Verity a rare absentee. He suffered a compressed neck injury last weekend, but X-rays revealed that the damage was purely muscular and he has been regaining movement all week.

It was touch and go whether he would be fit, but he stands down and Paul Evans joins the Hargreaves brothers in the back-row.

One welcome boost for the Greens is the fact that scrum-half Sam Cottrell is fit. He played last weekend with a severe chest infection, which finally caught up with him during the game and forced his withdrawal, but he is fit again and partners Andy Baggett tomorrow.

George Smithson is fit from a hand injury and comes onto the replacement bench for Simon Slater.

North Ribblesdale earned some praise in defeat last weekend when they were beaten at home by Huddersfield YMCA, a team which is sure to challenge for promotion as the season develops, but applause for being gallant losers will not be good enough tomorrow when they visit fellow strugglers Wheatley Hills.

The Doncaster side are one of handful of clubs who Ribblesdale must target to get away from the relegation zone, which makes a win at Brunel Road an absolute imperative.

The Grove Park men have shown in recent games that they have the ability to compete effectively with most sides in Yorkshire One, but a solitary draw from eight outings underlines the extent of their underachievement.

Skipton's new-found form will be tested when they travel to Leodiensians tomorrow for a Yorkshire Two fixture they need to win to stay on the edge of the promotion race.

The club's appeal regarding the dedication of points for playing Mike Richards when he wasn't properly registered has now reached the RFU, which, if past history is any guide, could well result in an over-turn of the Northern Division ruling and maybe even a few quid out of the poor box.

The restitution of those points would put the Reds into the thick of the title race once again and a win at Crag Lane would be very handy.

The Sandylands men show a couple of changes to last week's line-up, with Mike Richards coming in at full-back for Hamish Burns and Jack Morgan moving from back-row to lock to take over from Graham Newhouse, who was dismissed last week for illegal use of the boot.

Morgan's forward move opens the way for Kiwi John Settle to resume in the back row after his trip to Paris last weekend to see his countrymen.

Leos are on the same number of points as Skipton at the moment - with the penalty deducted - and will be keen to get back to winning ways after their reverse at West Park Bramhope seven days ago.

Wharfedale: J Davies; C Eccleston, C Malherbe, D Whitfield, G Johnston; A Baggett, S Cottrell; P Peel, G Hindle, N Dickinson, D Lister, A Capstick, P Evans, S Hargreaves, P Hargreaves.

Skipton (at Leodiensians, 2.15) M Richards; P Lacy, I Sneddon, F Walker, A Hill; D Howson, A Oldfield; G Reid-Hughes, N King, P Crossman, J Morgan, A Newhouse, J Settle, I Scrivin, M Davison.