Skipton entertain Woodhouse in the Aire-Wharfe League on Saturday hoping to take another stride on the path from turning last season’s rock-bottom finish to this year’s champions of Division Three.

In the bottom three for the last three seasons, Skipton’s stated aim at the start of this campaign was to provide “better opposition”.

They have certainly done that. Seven wins and only one defeat have put them six points clear of second-placed Upper Wharfedale, with Horsforth a further five points back.

Much of the credit goes to their two summer signings – former Bradford League all-rounder Richard Nichols, who has added some meat to the batting as well as taking some useful wickets, and paceman Faisal Hussain, who has 31 wickets to his name, including 14 in the last three matches.

Nichols hit a half-century when Skipton comfortably beat Woodhouse early in the season and they will start as favourites again this weekend.

But skipper Graham Summersgill will be aware that Woodhouse’s 11th spot owes more to a 12-point deduction than to a lack of quality and that in Farouk Allam they have a batsman who can take apart any attack.

Horsforth will feel confident against an Olicanian side on a three-match losing streak, while Addingham travel to face a New Rover side whose high-scoring has seen them leap up the table.

After edging a high-scoring match against Addingham last week, Menston will need a similarly impressive batting display against Illingworth, while Hall Park entertain Silsden with both sides threatened by the spectre of re-election.

The tightest race is at the top of Division Two, where just eight points separate top spot from fifth.

Rawdon are in pole position and should be able to maintain that away to an Adel side who have gone off the boil in recent weeks.

With second-place Knaresborough hot favourites to take full points at home to second-bottom Bardsey, the chasing pack know they cannot afford any slip-ups.

Third-placed Tong Park Esholt travel to North Leeds looking for a fifth win in a row, Ilkley will look to avenge an early-season defeat by Colton – who bowled them out for 75 in April – while Thackley will also be determined to stop Green Lane achieving a double.

Bottom club Calverley have hit high scores in each of their last five matches but will still be looking for their first win when they host Bolton Villas.

Otley are the latest side trying to inflict a first defeat on Division One leaders Beckwithshaw and dent what appears to be a triumphant procession to the title.

Burley are the closest chasers and travel to Harden, who are scrapping hard to escape the drop zone, while third-placed Ben Rhydding travel to Bilton, who are only five points behind them.

After the excitement of their tied match last weekend, Guiseley will hope for a more comfortable afternoon as they seek to do the double over Steeton, who have lost four of their last five games.