HORSFORTH will tomorrow try to put a dent in the impressive start defending Aire-Wharfe League champions Beckwithshaw have made to the campaign.

Having stormed from the third to first division in consecutive seasons, Horsforth consolidated last year with an impressive fourth place.

So far this season they have not been firing on all cylinders, failing to bat out their full 50 overs in either their victory over Ilkley or last week's defeat to Rawdon.

But opener Ben Heritage, newly signed from Rawdon, has settled quickly, top-scoring in both innings – and with players like Oliver Hardaker always likely to score runs, it should not be long before Horsforth start to mount a strong challenge.

The rest of the league will be hoping that starts tomorrow against Beckwithshaw, the only side in the top flight to take a maximum 40 points from their opening two matches.

Only a point behind them in the early-season table are Guiseley, who will be full of confidence as they travel to Pool.

Guiseley have bowled out both their opponents cheaply and will fancy their chances against a Pool side whose batting collapsed last week apart from David Paynter and Ryan Sharrocks, who between them scored 163 of their side's 187 runs.

Burley have also made an impressive start and should be too strong for Collingham, who have just four points to show for their early efforts.

Otley looked more like their usual selves in beating Colton following an opening-match setback at the hands of Burley but face a real test against a strengthened Bilton outfit.

Rawdon, having lost the impressive Kuda Samunderu, might have been expected to struggle this season but they have won both their opening matches under new skipper Andrew Duckworth and will start as favourites at Ilkley.

While batting has tended to be on top in the early matches, Tong Park Esholt bowler Mahir Ali – leading wicket-taker in the league last season – has quickly got back into the groove.

With nine wickets under his belt in two matches, he has put Park among the front-runners as they start life in Division Two and he is bound to be a factor as they entertain Follifoot this weekend.

There should be a good tussle at Calverley, who will be looking to build on a winning start but will not find Ben Rhydding an easy opponent after they beat relegated Kirkstall.

Addingham welcome Hall Park, with both sides looking for a first victory, while already-struggling Thackley will not relish the visit of a Leeds Modernians outfit capable of making big scores.

Skipton travel to Adel, who like Beckwithshaw have taken the full 40 points from their opening games, while Steeton, who have passed the 200 mark in each of their innings, travel to Kirkstall.

Saltaire take their winning start in Division Three to the league's other new boys St Chads Broomfield, while fellow joint-leaders Olicanian entertain Green Lane.

With the ten-team division, Bolton Villas' match against Harden is only the second of the season for both sides and neither has yet won.

Menston are in the same situation and face a tricky trip to Bardsey, whose squad-strengthening suggests they will be candidates for promotion this year.