Skipton'S hopes of claiming one of the promotion places in Yorkshire One slipped by the wayside some weeks ago, but that fact will not prevent them straining every sinew tomorrow at Utley when they take on arch-rivals and league leaders Keighley.

Having been humbled by Keighley earlier in the season at Sandylands, the Reds will be desperate to dent the promotion challenge of their neighbours. On the evidence of the opening meeting, the simple matter of avoiding another heavy beating is sure to be a very powerful incentive, for if Skipton are not fully attuned to the challenge, they could well be on the wrong end of another embarrassing defeat.

The scenario is certainly one which should extract the best that Skipton have to offer and a handsome win over Northallerton last weekend will have re-kindled optimism in the Sandylands camp. Nothing would please the Reds more than to upset the form-book and end the Utley team's run of league successes, so incentive should not be a problem.

The departure of Darren Howson on a trip Down Under brings one of a couple of changes to last weekend's line-up. Howson's place at fly-half goes to skipper Adam Oldfield, who came through last weekend's game without any serious re-action to a shoulder injury, while Hamish Burns dealt with a facial cut on the day and takes over at scrum-half tomorrow.

George Smithson missed the earlier derby and will be aiming to add a cutting edge to the team from full-back, while wingman Paul Lacy, back on the try trail last weekend after a barren season by comparison with last term's prolific scoring run, will be hoping that the ball supply increases on the wide open space at Utley.

Up front, Peter Jenkinson comes into the front-row to team up with the King brothers, while Alan Newhouse partners Adam Winthrop at lock.

Changes on the replacement bench see Graham Newhouse, Baden Burns and Steve Marks waiting in the wings.

While the derby flavour brings bags of added spice to the Utley game, the spectre of relegation is an even more potent influence on affairs at Grove Park, Settle, where North Ribblesdale are in desperate need of a win over visitors Dinnington.

The South Yorkshire club are one of the teams the Dalesmen must target to make up ground on closest rivals Yarnbury, so this is a real 'four- pointer' for the club and a game where the maximum amount of support is needed.

Unfortunately for the Settle side, injuries continue to hamper selection, for although the forwards are almost back to full strength, the position behind the scrum is arguably more parlous than last week, with the absence of two more players complicating the process.

In the forwards, prop John Thwaite, Kiwi Mike Robinson, Willie Garth and Russell Howarth make welcome returns to the squad, as does flanker Michael Carr, who was obliged to deputise at scrum-half last week.

Behind the scrum, Stuart Evans takes over at scrum-half and Simon Coultherd and Dave Bryant make a new centre pairing, with Simon Spensley moving to full-back and Simon Cowperthwaite returning to wing duty.

Skipton: G Smithson; P Lacy, I Sneddon, F Walker, M Beech; A Oldfield, H Burns; P Jenkinson, R King, N King, A Newhouse, A Winthrop, J Morgan, I Scrivin, M Davison. Replacements: G Newhouse, B Burns, S Marks.