WHARFEDALE go into this Saturday's match against Macclesfield coming off a frustrating loss at Stourbridge last weekend.

A slow start by the Greens last Saturday saw them trailing by 20 points before they knew what hit them.

"It was hugely frustrating," said Wharfedale coach John Feeley. "We didn't start playing until 30 minutes were up on the clock, by which time they were 20 points up.

"We pulled it back, but if you're too slow to get going, it just goes to show you that you can't gift a side in this league that big of an advantage.

"I also think that slow start was down to our unfamiliarity with the artificial surface, the gale force winds and we wanted to see how Stourbridge played."

But Feeley did say that Wharfedale do have the ability to adapt to any situation, but last Saturday he said they lacked the belief from the start.

He was pleased with the Greens attacking capabilities and said his the players scored four "really well worked tries".

Looking ahead to this Saturday, Feeley said that despite Macclesfield's league position, currently second from bottom with one win in seven games, Wharfedale need to avoid an "indifferent start" and prepare to face "strong front row".

"Macclesfield are strong in the scrum and the line-out, and the front five is the strong area of their team."

Going into encounter, Wharfedale will need to check on the fitness of two key players.

"Rian Hamilton, who is our top try scorer, had to go off with a leg injury last Saturday," said Feeley. "And Matt Houghton suffered a chest injury, which we think is a bruised sternum. But we're hoping that both players will be available for selection."

The Greens will host Macclesfield at The Avenue, and the match kicks off at 3pm this Saturday.