BEFORE Methley can focus their attention on Sunday’s Priestley Cup final against New Farnley they face a league game that is arguably more important to their ambitions.

The Championship One leaders are at home to old Central Yorkshire League rivals Wrenthorpe as they look to close in on their main goal for the season – promotion to the Premier Division.

Methley currently lead Scholes by two points with Wrenthorpe a further 29 points adrift after a poor run of recent results.

Skipper Grant Soames, who has missed his side’s last three games after breaking a thumb, is set to return for the biggest weekend of his club’s season to date.

But Methley will be without their two young spin brothers Josh and Harry Sullivan who have created a big impression.

Josh has a broken finger while Harry is playing in the Bunbury Festival.

The Wrenthorpe fixture kicks off a tricky run in for Methley which sees them visit Undercliffe next Saturday, before hosting promotion rivals Scholes on September 9 and rounding off the campaign at Baildon.

Soames, who is in his second year at Methley after spells with Yeadon, Undercliffe, East Bierley and Woodlands, has no doubt about his team’s prime objective.

“When I first arrived at the club the main goal was to win promotion to the Premier Division. We weren’t quite ready last season, but I feel we now have a well-balanced side that can get us there.

“We have a good mix of young and experienced players, but we know we still have work to do and Wrenthorpe are a good side. They need to win to close the gap so it should be a good game.”

Wrenthorpe, under the captaincy of former East Bierley player Greg Wood, can still have a big say in the promotion battle as they still have to play Scholes at home in their final game.

Fellow cup finalists New Farnley also face a tough fixture. They visit second-placed Farsley who trail Premier Division leaders Hanging Heaton by 12 points.

New Farnley skipper Lee Goddard is an admirer. He said: “Farsley have been consistently bowling sides out with Chris Henry and James Wainman doing well. They also have good batsmen in James Price, Dan Hodgson and Ryan Cooper.”

Spinner James Middlebrook misses the game as he is umpiring in the KIA Super League.

Hanging Heaton are away to a Cleckheaton side needing points to avoid relegation while Woodlands, fresh from their Heavy Woollen Cup final triumph, visit fourth-placed Townville.

East Bierley, looking to pull clear of danger, entertain Pudsey St Lawrence, while the bottom two have home games. Pudsey Congs tackle Bradford & Bingley while Batley face Lightcliffe.