WIBSEY have been urged to go the full distance next season when they step up a level to Yorkshire Three.

Their hopes of a league and cup double were scuppered by a 34-14 defeat at home to Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Vase quarter-final.

The Bradford side claimed the Yorkshire Four Premier title earlier this month but joint manager Rob Greenwood felt his side eased off once promotion had been secured.

He said: “Andy Robinson (player-coach) has improved us tremendously professional wise on and off the pitch, but next season we need to take that next step and be fitter and be a bit more committed and see the season out as once we got promotion we definitely took our foot off the pedal."

Yorkshire Three champions Wensleydale eased to a comfortable win over Wibsey but Greenwood felt there was not a huge difference in standard.

He said: “They had a couple more experienced forwards but the scoreline doesn’t really reflect the game as they got a couple of lucky bounces which we hope to get back next season in Yorkshire Division Three where we will not be scared of hard work, although we need to up our game.

“Also we matched them in the scrum and the line-out and I don’t see a massive difference in standard between them and us.

“I think that was their full-strength side whereas we were not at full strength, and with the addition of three or four good players who are versed in rugby union we will give a good account of ourselves next season."

Greenwood would be happy with a top-four finish but admits ambitious coach Robinson will be aiming higher.

He said: “There is a difference of opinion as to our targets. I don’t want to sound negative but I would be happy for us to finish third or fourth but you know what Andy Robinson is like – he wants us to go and win it.

“He sets his standards high and generally gets them so I think that we will be there or thereabouts, and we do have lads that we can draw on to replace Scott and Elliott (who will be suspended at the start of next season) as we are not far short of getting out a second team.

“We played 20 league matches this season, whereas next season we will play 26 and can plan our season on and off the field.”