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Hedley Verity calls it day on his Wharfedale playing career.

Wharfedale open their 12th league campaign in National Two this Saturday at Halifax, but they will be doing so without their "old warhorse" Hedley Verity.

Verity said: "I decided 12 months ago that I would have one more season. Time catches up with everyone but at least was able to go out my own terms. I'm 37 now and I've had a good run.

"I probably enjoyed last season as much as any. I wanted to pass the 300 league game mark which I did and it was a poignant moment when I walked off the field in our last home game against Esher.

"It was nice to finish with a good team performance, but I also think that I showed I could still compete at that level."

Verity, who joined the club as an under-16s player in 1985, played his first league game in April 1989.

Verity was part of three promotion winning sides and played 88 straight league games at one point in his career. He also said there was a point where he missed just one game out of 140.

In recent years he suffered neck injury, which he said "has creaked for a long time". The wear and tear of his rugby campaigns means the injury will now require surgery.

Verity said he felt a lot of pride at being involved in the various promotions, but added: "There were times in my career when it was frustrating being in a side that would beat the top sides but then put in mediocre performance against lower teams."

Verity will now take his place amongst the greatest players to ever play for Wharfedale.

Although his playing days are now finished, Verity will remain in charge of the club's Academy.

Wharfedale coach Peter Hartley said: "He's been a terrific servant to the club."

With Verity now retired and injuries to Alistair Allen and Andy Hodgson, three debutants will start on Saturday, which Hartley said is the first time in many years that this has happened.

Ex-Fylde player Dave Muckalt plays at No 6, with ex-Otley man Liam O'Neill coming in on the other flank.

Neil Baggett will moved in Hodgson's spot at full back and teenager Daniel Hart, from Harrogate, will take Baggett's place on the wing. Luke Gray will take Hart's place on the bench.

After three pre-season games, Hartley said he is expecting the opposition to change their focus from a more attacking style of rugby to defence.

"In pre-season teams are more positive but when the league starts there suddenly becomes a bigger focus on defence."

Hartley said a lot of teams in the division will be very focused on the first, as there will be a two-week gap before their next game.

With Wharfedale's home game against Otley on September 15 postponed, they won't play until the 22nd at Manchester. Their first game at The Avenue will be against Henley on September 29.

Looking at the new teams in the National League Two, Hartley said there are a lot "unknowns out there", especially promoted sides Blaydon, Southend and Westcombe Park.

Waterloo and potential derby rival Otley have been relegated from National League One.

He said Otley look like a strong side and last year's promotion contenders Redruth and Henley will be strong as well Cambridge who have recruited well.

"We don't know how good everybody is as early results aren't always the best guide. By the time everybody has played everybody we'll have a better idea."

When asked about Wharfedale's prospects for the new season, Hartley simply said: "We'll do the best we can. If we do that every game, we will have been successful. If you do your best, you get what you deserve."

Wharfedale: Neil Baggett, Daniel Hart; Chris Malherbe, Mark Bedworth, James Hutchinson; Andy Baggett (c), James Doherty; Tom Horner, Gavin Hindle, Chris Steel, David Lister, Antony Capstick, Dave Muckalt, Liam O'Neill, Rob Baldwin. Replacements: Neil Dickinson, Philip Peel, David Clements, Luke Gray.

2:59pm Thursday 30th August 2007

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