WHARFEDALE, who are in the fourth tier of national rugby for the first time in 21 years, start their National League Two North campaign with a home match against Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday, September 3.

Dropping down from National League One has also increased the number of derbies for the Greens (Hull Ionians was their only Yorkshire opponent last season), and they don't have to wait long for their first in 2016-17 as they visit Otley the following Saturday.

The return fixture on Saturday, December 17 brings the 2016 fixtures to a close, while there are four other Yorkshire derbies in Harrogate (away November 5, home March 4) and Sheffield Tigers (home October 15, away February 4).

Trans-Pennine foes, apart from Preston Grasshoppers, are Sale, Sedgley Park and Chester.

Wharfedale's rugby chairman Michael Harrison said: "We are looking forward to hosting Otley just before Christmas and Harrogate on March 4, as we are expecting good crowds, while we also visit Harrogate on Bonfire Night."

Harrison added: "It is too early to assess who are likely to be contenders for promotion, but I would be surprised if Stourbridge weren't up there.

"Although they only finished fourth last season, they were equal second in 2013-14 and equal first in 2012-13 and have a link with Worcester, while I understand that Sale FC are getting some of the more experienced players from Fylde, so they could be up there too."

Meanwhile, Wharfedale's patient search for a forwards' coach should soon be over.

Harrison said: "James Doherty (Wharfedale's new coach) has been in talks and is expecting to make an announcement, possibly at our players' meeting tomorrow night.

"James certainly wants it sorting out before next week."

Wharfedale Rugby Union Football Club's annual meeting will be held in the clubhouse on Thursday, July 14 (7.30pm).

WHARFEDALE FIXTURES 2016-17
NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO NORTH
SEPTEMBER
03 Preston Grasshoppers H
10 Otley A
17 Hinckley H
24 Tynedale A
OCTOBER
01 South Leicester H

08 Luctonians A
15 Sheffield Tigers H
22 Stourbridge A
29 Leicester Lions H
NOVEMBER

05 Harrogate A
12 Sale H
19 Scunthorpe H

26 Sedgley Park A
DECEMBER
3 Chester H

10 Caldy A
17 Otley H 
JANUARY
07 Hinckley A
14 Tynedale H
21 South Leicester A
28 Luctonians H
FEBRUARY

04 Sheffield Tigers A
11 Stourbridge H
18 Leicester Lions A
MARCH
04 Harrogate H

11 Sale A
25 Scunthorpe A
APRIL
01 Sedgley Park H

08 Chester A 
22 Caldy H
29 Preston Grasshoppers A

May
06 Play offs