PROPS are a precious commodity these days, as many clubs know, but Old Grovians’ problems run much deeper than that.

They conceded their Yorkshire Division Two match at Wath two weekends ago because they didn’t have enough players.

But at least the Apperley Bridge club, who tend to have a small squad and suffer more injuries than most – many of them serious – avoided being docked points.

Their secretary Bob Griffin explained: “Having suffered three significant injuries the week before, we travelled with ten players, and played the match as a friendly, thus avoiding a points deduction.”

During the summer, Grovians lost Adam Driver, Martyn Mitchell, Chris Blackhall and Dion Hendricks to Ilkley, and Christian Baines to Bradford Salem.

Griffin added: “We are also without Jack Hartley (shoulder), Anthony Griffin (hamstring) and Harry Garforth among others, and could well only have 15 players for tomorrow’s home match against Ripon, and that is including calling on the old guard of Paul Exley, John Hinchliffe and Dave Roberts.”

Maybe it is just as well that Old Grovians started the season with victories over Leodiensian and West Park Leeds as they have only gained one point from their last four matches in slipping to tenth.

Hinchliffe’s former club Keighley are, like Ripon, fifth, and have a tough Yorkshire Division One home match against second-placed Old Brodleians.

“It will be a big challenge,” admitted Keighley’s head coach Danny McGee, “and it is a derby as well, but we have Leigh Sugden starting against what is a big pack.

“He benched for the first team a fortnight ago and did well, but, working on a farm, he is a fit lad and, due to his work, he often misses the start of the season.

“We are also looking to see how Alfie Seeley fares on the wing.”

Ninth-placed Bradford Salem have suffered two blows before facing eighth-placed Scarborough at Shay Lane.

Neil Klenk explained: “Jack Mitchell broke a hand playing for Bradford University and will be out until the new year, and Conor Wood has an ankle injury.

“However, we don’t lose too much without Jack as Matt Booth is stepping in at scrum half and offers something different, while Jake Abram steps in at centre.”

Bradford Salem (home to Scarborough): D Belcher; N Fontaine, J Abram, D Pearce, R Smith; A Robinson, M Booth; T O’Sullivan, A Veitch, J Bradbury, J Cunliffe, J Morrell, E Perkins, C Baines, C Manchester. Replacements: A Brar, S Gardner, A Bennett.