Wharfedale's visit to Blaydon on Saturday, with both sides edging toward the National League Two relegation zone, suddenly has a significance that neither would have wished, but it will surely add to the atmosphere.
The sides have only met once before in the league, the Dalesmen winning 23-7 away in North East One in 1987-88, although Blaydon did triumph 16-14 at home in the Powergen Cup in 2004-05.
The Greens' backs division has a new look. Chris Malherbe and Simon Horsfall have leave of absence for a sevens, but in come Neil Baggett (left wing) and Andy Hodgson (outside centre).
Wharfedale: A Whaites; D Hart, A Hodgson, A Baggett, N Baggett; L Gray, J Doherty; N Dickinson, G Hindle, C Steel, D Lister, A Capstick, D Clements, R Baldwin, A Allen. Replacements: A Mason, T Horner, R Lednor, M Simpson.
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