The halfway point of a rain-interrupted Aire-Wharfe League season arrives on Saturday with some mouth-watering top-of-the-table clashes.

And when you remember that the reverse of these fixtures will mark the final day of the season, there is an important psychological advantage as well as valuable points at stake.

Nowhere will the tension be higher than at Steeton, where the leaders entertain Collingham, the side just two points behind them.

Led from the front by Toby Jacklin and with the ever- reliable John Swain showing the way with his batting, Collingham have dropped only two points in their last five completed games and look confident of repeating their championship triumph of 2007.

That year Steeton won Division Two, and quickly dropped back down, only to re-emerge at the end of last season.

And while many people thought they might fade away after a flying start back in the top flight, the consistency of players like David Wildsmith, Andrew Luxton and, in recent weeks, Richard Craddock has kept them firmly in the No 1 spot.

Victory on Saturday would be just the boost they need for the rest of the campaign as they seek to win a title they last picked up in 1999.

Defending champions Thackley have so far failed to turn draws into wins and so trail in mid-table, level on points with Saturday's opponents Otley.

But Otley tend to either win or lose, so one or the other will buck their trend.

Burley will hope the cup win over Beckwithshaw will give them a lift as they travel to Bilton, while Guiseley should be far too strong for relegation- threatened Adel.

Ben Rhydding, who were ahead of Steeton in Division Two last season, have struggled to make a mark since promotion and will be anxious to catch Kirkstall Educational on one of their bad days.

The top of Division Two is unlikely to show many changes, with leaders Green Lane expected to win at Knaresborough and second-placed Rawdon likely to be too good for bottom side Olicanian.

Before the weather wrecked the fixtures for two weeks in a row, Ilkley were the form team, taking 16 from 18 points, and only ring-rustiness might stop them extending that run against North Leeds.

Calverley depend to a large extent on the bowling of Jonathan Hudson and Naveen Panesar, and if Harden can master them, they have a good chance of keeping up their pressure on the leaders.

Bolton Villas have found runs hard to come by this season but should still be good enough to beat Upper Wharfedale.

Division Three also sees the top two sides clash.

Undefeated Colton have already opened up a nine-point lead, so will pose a major threat to Menston, although the home side have won three of their last four starts.

Illingworth are waiting to pounce if Menston slip up but they too won’t have it easy because Tong Park Esholt still fancy their chances of bouncing straight back after relegation, despite recent hiccups.

Hall Park’s challenge cannot be ignored and it will be a major surprise if they don’t pick up full points against Alwoodley, while Silsden will take the confidence a gutsy draw against Colton and a cup giant-killing over Calverley into their match at Woodhouse.

New Rover might have seemed like a chance for Skipton to pick up some much-needed points but Rover gave a warning of how dangerous they can be with a win over Horsforth last week.

Horsforth will look to bounce back from that when they take on Addingham, who have not played for three weeks and are just itching for some cricket.