THE highly-competitive Division Two promotion race grabs the attention on Saturday when the top two, Tong Park Esholt and Addingham, go head to head.

Addingham have hit a sticky patch over the past two weeks, saved from defeat by Hall Park by the rain and well beaten by third-placed Colton so they will be looking for more big performances from star men Ted Haggas, Ricky Palacio and Alex Hentschke to spark the revival.

Tong Park Esholt will start as slight favourites but will be aware that their only two defeats this season have come from promotion rivals Colton and Collingham, so will feel the need to show they can also win the tough matches.

With only 11 points covering the top five, the loser of this match is set to drop out of the top two because it will be a major surprise if Colton slip up at struggling Steeton and Collingham don’t beat Kirkstall.

Hall Park are the fifth side in the group and with Tom Lester closing on 500 runs for the season to head the division’s batting, it is hard to see them losing away to bottom team Calverley.

Ben Rhydding can ease further above the relegation zone against out of sorts Leeds Modernians and there is an intriguing clash at Olicanian where Saltaire are the visitors, both sides locked on 118 points.

As Division One reaches the halfway point, the main question seems to be can anyone stop Otley, who already have a 29-point lead over Burley, from waltzing away with the title?

The latest side to try to dent their progress is Horsforth and their success will depend on which side turns up – the one that comfortably beat contenders Follifoot last week, or the one that slumped to defeat against bottom side Guiseley the previous Saturday.

Burley have also been a bit up and down in recent weeks, losing two out of three, and they won’t find it easy against Guiseley who are scrapping for their top-flight survival and showed plenty of resilience when knocking Follifoot out of the Waddilove Cup.

Rawdon should reinforce their third place against Bilton while Ilkley need to overcome Follifoot if they are not to be drawn further into the relegation dog-fight.

Pool are also involved in that as are Adel, the side they visit tomorrow.

With Division Three runaway leaders New Rover, the only unbeaten side in the league, looking set for another victory against Alwoodley, the chasing pack know they can afford no slip ups.

Second-placed Green Lane came within six runs of denting Rover’s record last week and will start favourites against Bolton Villas but will be aware of the threat of Sam Lawrence the division’s top wicket taker.

There’s a mouth-watering clash at third-placed Bardsey where Harden will be looking for the victory that would see them climb above them.

Thackley, Menston and Skipton are among four mid-table sides separated by four points. Menston take on St Chads, the fourth member of the group, while Thackley tackle Shadwell and Skipton face rock-bottom Old Leodiensians.