Saturday could prove to be one of the most vital dates on the Pennine League calendar as clubs jockey for position prior to the Christmas holiday shutdown.

Wibsey Warriors, who have been in top form on home soil, welcome Premier Division leaders Queens to Northfield Road, seeking to avenge the 30-12 defeat at the hands of the Leeds giants earlier in the campaign.

The Warriors are at full strength and will be looking to make it another unhappy visit to the area for a Queens outfit that crashed out of the Yorkshire Cup at West Bowling.

Queensbury player-coach Andy Senior believes his young side have turned the corner and are set to climb away from the relegation zone.

Bury have a tough task on their hands with the visit of classy second-placed Drighlington.

However, the wily Senior will be quick to remind his charges of the narrow 14-0 loss in the previous meeting.

Bury’s successful youth policy is again to the fore, with Danny Sykes set to make his first-team debut.

The race for the Championship title is nip and tuck all the way.

Table-toppers West Bowling travel to King Cross Park, having already notched up a 60-plus points victory against them this term, while third-placed Bank Top Harriers will be hoping to sweep away the cobwebs with a welcome outing against Knottingley Rockware, who are one place below them, at Lidget Green.

Keighley, hovering menacingly in second spot, will have too much firepower for struggling Ackworth Jaguars who are pointless.

Division One Birkenshaw are responding to new coach Johnny Bruce in great style and will travel to Morley Borough full of confidence following last week’s rollicking home win over Allerton Bywater, while Wyke player-coach Ian Wormald’s long-awaited return will depend on a fitness test prior to the start of their Division Two home clash against Dodworth.

The black and whites, who have sneaked into third, are keen to redress the surprise 12-7 reverse they suffered in Barnsley against the visitors who have been revitalised after failing to complete two of their opening fixtures.

Clayton travel to the dizzy heights of Holmfirth in the quest for a first win at Underbank Rangers.

Odsal Sedbergh, who have not lost to Littleborough for five seasons, look set to continue the hoodoo at Odsal Rec in Division Three, while Undercliffe will have to be at their best when they travel to Division Four title rivals Kellingley Welfare.

West Bowling A host Queensbury A in the opening round of the Hudson Foster Bradford Cup.

Bury’s second string, who operate in Division Four, start favourites against a West’s side that are finding their feet in Division Six.