QUEENSBURY are wary at being tagged as favourites to return to the Provident Odsal Bowl when they face Clayton in a semi-final of the Jack Senior Memorial Bradford Cup on Saturday.

Bury, who are going great guns in the Pennine League Championship Division, have also enjoyed a good run in all of the cup, but know that the Villagers pose a major threat to their ambition of facing Victoria Rangers on May Day Bank Holiday Sunday (May 1).

Clayton, who are in a two-horse race to take the Division Three West title after a number of years in the doldrums, have a strong squad of experienced campaigners mixed with the necessary influx of promising youngsters.

What can be a daunting unit are virtually at full strength, apart from Matt Baldwin (knee).

Bury will miss leading try-scoring centre Tom Hainsworth (calf) but they have a ready-made replacement in Rob Nagy, who posted two tries in last week’s big win against Brotherton.

Lethal marksman Scott Swann is also unavailable due to work commitments, which is a huge blow, especially with his opposite number Gavin Wilkinson, who is also in deadly form with the boot, likely to figure prominently.

Queensbury A are seeking to make it a double club celebration when they travel to Birkenshaw in a semi-final of the Hudson Foster Supplementary Bradford Cup.

It should be a close encounter, with Bury having to rely on who is available after first-team calls.

They are presently treading water in Division Three West, while Birkenshaw are still in the hunt to collect some silverware in Division Four West after reforming this season.

Wyke are in a race to get teenage talisman Coby Kittsen fit and ready to go to face visitors Greetland All Rounders in a semi-final of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy at Towngate.

The black and whites' hooker, who was on the books at Bradford Bulls before deciding on pursuing an academic career, has been in splendid form of late, and is a proven match-winner with his electric pace and tackling.

Coach Warren Pitman also has welcome competition, with Ryan Kershaw and Alec Williams pushing for a place on the bench.