WITH top two Beckwithshaw and Burley looking set for comfortable Aire-Wharfe League wins tomorrow, the attention turns to the immediate chasing pack to see who might emerge as genuine Division One challengers.

It will be a major surprise if Beckwithshaw do not reach the halfway stage unbeaten by overcoming third-bottom North Leeds, while Burley should have little problem against basement club Colton.

There is already a 29-point gap between second-placed Burley and nearest challengers Otley – but the next five places are covered by a single win and this weekend could see some shuffling of places.

Sixth-placed Rawdon have a great chance to haul themselves up the table with a home match against Collingham, who currently occupy the second relegation spot.

With Bradley Reeve, Marcus Berryman and Andrew Doidge always looking dangerous with the ball in hand – only Beckwithshaw have more bowling bonus points this season – Rawdon look favourites to beat a team who have only once topped 200 and been bowled out in seven of ten games, including twice for less than 100.

With two wins in a row under their belt, rejuvenated Horsforth can do themselves and Rawdon a favour by beating fifth-placed Bilton.

The most fiercely contested match in the mid-table mini league is likely to come at Guiseley, where Otley are the visitors, while Pool will seek to end a two-match losing streak at Ilkley, who will still be on a high after reaching the Waddilove Cup semi-finals.

After something of a drubbing against Division Two leaders Adel last week, Ben Rhydding need to get their promotion challenge back on track as they entertain Steeton.

Tong Park Esholt have the unenviable task of taking on an Adel side who are starting to look a class above the rest of the division.

There are some crunch games in the bottom half of the table, where Calverley have a tricky encounter at Leeds Modernians – both sides failing to show the consistency their line-ups suggest should be there.

After a big win over Tong Park Esholt last week and a gutsy display in the cup against Burley – both inspired by Ricky Palacio, who picked up ten wickets over the weekend – Addingham will be full of confidence that they can overcome rock-bottom Thackley and ease their own relegation worries a little.

There will be plenty of tension at Hall Park, where the tenth-placed hosts meet a Skipton side who are only two points below them to see who goes into the second half of the season in the drop zone.

The ten-team Division Three sees top two Bardsey and Saltaire sit out this week's matches while the rest catch up, which gives Harden and Olicanian the chance to move into the pole positions.

Harden take on new boys St Chads Broomfield – who, despite their ninth place, showed with an impressive cup run that they have plenty of ability when on song.

Olicanian were one of St Chads' victims and they too will need to find their best form at Bolton Villas, where Junaid Bashir is at the top of his game and Sam Lawrence is again one of the most threatening bowlers in the division.

Green Lane return to action having won two of their last three. Tomorrow they are up against Menston, who are fresh from beating New Rover thanks to a six-wicket haul from Amer Ayoub.