Bradford Salem have taken six points off promotion contenders Yarnbury this season in SSE Yorkshire Division Two, but look certain to miss out on going up themselves.
The 6-6 draw at Brownberrie Lane last weekend leaves Salem 14 points behind second-placed Selby with nine matches left, while Selby also have a game in hand.
Salem's first-team manager Neil Klenk said: "We will just accumulate as many points as we can and see where we are at the end of the season.
"It looks as if Doncaster Phoenix and Selby will be the two teams to be promoted, but you never know."
Having dealt third-placed Yarnbury another large blow - they are a point behind Selby having played a game more - Salem are at bottom-placed Castleford on Saturday, with Klenk warning: "They look to have got some of their better players back and we are expecting a battle."
Salem are also stronger this weekend with the return of fly half Andy Robinson and second-rower James Cunliffe.
Bradford Salem (at Castleford) from: D Belcher, D Thomas, S Savage, S Gardner, C Walker, A Robinson, I Woodwiss, J Bradbury, S Markey, S Davies, J Morrell, J Cunliffe, D Pearson, D Hutton, R Green, D McNicholl, S Leach, J Ashworth.
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