WHARFEDALE and their strong defence will face a tough test against a quick Tynedale side this Saturday.

The Greens are coming off a a 14-13 victory against Fylde, an unusual match that saw all of the points by both teams scored in the first half.

"It was a fantastic win in a very, very close game," said Wharfedale coach John Feeley.

"In such good conditions, to have a 0-0 half is quite rare," he said. "But we maintained excellent control of the game and suffocated them by not allowing them out of their half after the break. The couldn't quite break the shackles of our game.

"Our disciplined game plan choked them and saw out the game for us," he said. "Seeing the game out and putting teams under relentless pressure is something we've had to learn throughout the season.

"Our forwards were controlled the ruck and the backs were decisive in their handling. In the second half, we were going uphill against a talented and fast Fylde team."

Feeley praised the Greens' defence, which is third lowest in the National League Two North in terms of tries conceded, as they allow just 2.9 tries per game.

"This highlights what a good defensive unit we've become, and that's down to John Skurr, who leads the defensive coaching."

Feeley also said strong defence and "excellent tackling" held Wharfedale back row James Tyson earn the man of the match award last Saturday.

Looking ahead to this Saturday's match at Tynedale, Wharfedale will be in for a tough test against a team that has won six games in a row and have been bolstered by a number of players from Newcastle Falcons, a Premiership side.

"They benefitted greatly from an influx of Newcastle Falcons' players, and they play a quick and wide game and are very strong in the backs."

"When we played them in December, we won a low-scoring contest (18-3) in horrendous conditions. This Saturday will be very different conditions that will be good for open and quick rugby."

Feeley said Wharfedale will be without Dan Stockdale, who scored a try at the weekend, who will unavailable due to lambing commitments on the family farm.

Matty Houghton will face a fitness on a dead leg, while Feeley is hoping for the return of Phil Woodhead (ankle) and Joe Altham (hamstring), as both players are also in line to have fitness tests.

The match at Tynedale will kick off at 3pm this Saturday.