WHARFEDALE travel to high-flying Waterloo on Saturday still aiming to exorcise the ghosts of their meek capitulation at Stourbridge in their last away match.

Coach John Lawn confesses that motivating his side has been easier than usual.

"There was a lot of dented reputations after Stourbridge and while we put in a good performance against Blackheath, we all know that this is another step up," he said.

Wharfedale are set for a mid table finish but with a fair wind could end up on the coat tails of the promoted two which would be a fine achievement for Lawn himself in his first year in charge since taking over.

Saturday's opponents are renowned for their power up front, so it is perhaps not the best preparation to lose prop Martin Halsall. On loan from Sale Sharks, he was injured playing for their Academy side on Monday.

That means Neil Dickinson is moved up from the bench to partner Phillip Peel while Adam Mason will be on the bench anticipating his debut for the first team. The prop is from the well-known Appletreewick farming clan and gets his call after some fine performances for the Foresters.

Lawn shrugged off the loss of Halsall and said he had every confidence that his pack was not unduly weakened. He points to the fact that the two sides drew 21-21 at the Avenue in November without Halsall.

"We knew they were strong in the pack and we took them on there and did well," said Lawn.

"We need to reproduce that form and also realise we have to bring in the backs and use them to full effect. The players are keen to show they can do it and make up for that Stourbridge performance."

If the forwards are key to Saturday's result, Lawn is blessed with perhaps the most exciting back line seen at Wharfedale, with plenty of young talent in the wings.

Andrew Hodgson received a huge cheer from the faithful on Saturday when he cemented his return to the team with his first try on home soil since January 2004 against Rugby Lions.

"Hodgson's return is a boost to us and he's getting better each game. It's unfortunate for James Hutchinson who was playing well but just got an injury at the wrong time," said Lawn. Another youngster, 17-year-old Matt Longstaff, is also on the bench.

With Chris Malherbe terrorising opposition defences and Adam Whaites and Mark Bedworth also showing pace and skills, Wharfedale can head to Manchester with some confidence.

Wharfedale: A Whaites; S Horsfall, C Malherbe, M Bedworth, A Hodgson; A Baggett, J Doherty; P Peel, G Hindle, R Dickinson, D Lister, A Capstick, A Allen, R Lednor, R Baldwin.

Replacements: A Mason, J Lawn, O renton, M Longstaff