BRADFORD & BINGLEY'S director of rugby Martin Whitcombe is philosophical about the number of players he has used in their opening seven matches in North One East.

Teenage replacement Connor Capper was the 31st to wear a Bees first-team shirt when he came on last Saturday in the notable 29-27 victory at Malton & Norton.

Whitcombe said: "We have had players unavailable and players injured but what it does mean is that we have unearthed some good young lads in Ryan Wilson and Connor Capper.

"In an ideal world, they might have played one or two games this season off the bench but they played a part in what was one of the best wins I have ever seen last weekend.

"It was an outstanding performance, and Brett Mitchell and Tom Booth were outstanding individuals."

The victory lifted the Bees to eighth, and they are expected to have a similar line-up on Saturday at home to seventh-placed Driffield, who are a point above the hosts.

CLECKHEATON, who played their National League Three North clash at Doncaster Phoenix a week early a fortnight ago to fit in with the busy schedule at Castle Park, are without suspended prop Andy Piper and unavailable back-rower Tom Austin for the home match against Kendal.

The Moorenders, who are in need of a win to pull away from a relegation berth, are also again likely to be without full back or winger Ross Hayden.

OLD GROVIANS are in a similar situation in the table in Yorkshire Division Two and must make it count at home to bottom club Sheffield Medicals.

The Apperley Bridge club had to forfeit their match against Wath three weeks ago due to a lack of players, and have signed hooker Sam Smyth.

More importantly, providing that they come through fitness tests, they may have Jack Hartley, Anthony Griffin, Harry Garforth and Harry Hardy back after injury.

Unbeaten Yorkshire Division Five leaders WIBSEY are without seven squad members for their home match against Sheffield Oaks.

Isaac Khan, Michael Kite, Mark Darragh, Brad Wright and Jimmy Rodger are going to England's Ladbrokes Four Nations rugby league match against New Zealand at Huddersfield, while Danny Carr is working and Bryn Worsley has a back injury.

But returning are player-coach Andy Rose and fly half Stuart Fisher, while they may hand a debut to winger Joseph Ratcliffe.

Wibsey (home to Sheffield Oaks) from: C Walker, B Tattersall, M Riaz, S Birkbeck, J Brown, A Rose, A Cerson, D Hartley, M Grimes, J Birkbeck, D Wilkinson, C Partridge, C Farley, J Nall, K Carter, J Sawyer, S Fisher, A Armitage, C Clough, E Gray, B Mpofu, L Wilson, J Ratcliffe.