The mouth-watering Aire-Wharfe League clash between Ben Rhydding and Ilkley on Saturday will have a major impact on the DIVISION THREE promotion race.

Victory for the home side will see them pull 11 points clear of Ilkley with four very winnable games to come. But if Ilkley prevail, they will go back to the top of the table.

And with only six points on offer between the top two, third-placed Menston – currently a point behind Ilkley – can enhance their hopes of going up by winning at home to New Rover.

The key to Ben Rhydding’s chances could lie with Nick Smith, who has been in electrifying form in the last six weeks – picking up 29 wickets at an average of 8.6 – while Ilkley will be hoping for more good batting from Nick Cockroft.

The main issue at Hall Park will be local bragging rights in their match against Horsforth, while Addingham travel to face a Skipton side buoyed by ending a four-match losing streak with a win over New Rover last week.

Burley will want to build on their seven-point advantage at the top of DIVISION ONE before their final two matches against closest rivals Beckwithshaw and Green Lane – and they should be too strong for hosts Rawdon, who have lost three of their last four outings.

Green Lane have an outside hope of taking runners-up spot but face a difficult game at Thackley, who have played themselves into the top half of the table following promotion last season.

Otley travel to Pool, while Guiseley entertain Adel – and both of them should come out on top against sides fighting relegation.

The big battle in DIVISION TWO is between Harden, Follifoot and Olicanian to join clear leaders Bilton in promotion – but none of them has an easy game this weekend.

Harden host Tong Park Esholt, a side who on their day can score a lot of runs; Follifoot entertain Calverley, whose recent battling performances have lifted them above the relegation places; and Olicanian are at home to Upper Wharfedale, another team capable of a high score.

Relegation-threatened Silsden desperately need a win at Bolton Villas, while Steeton can do the other strugglers a favour by winning at second-bottom Illingworth.