Burley counting on batsmen to deliver

1:33pm Thursday 19th June 2008

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Burley face a crunch match against Bilton on Saturday knowing that anything less than victory will leave them facing a tough fight against relegation for the rest of the season.

With Nick Brook and Jason Wright regularly among the wickets, Burley always have a chance to bowl out their opponents, but runs are much harder to come by.

Only three batsmen have passed the half century mark in the opening nine games as Burley have dropped to tenth in the table.

They are level on 16 points with Pool, just six ahead of bottom side Collingham, and more importantly in terms of tomorrow’s match, already seven behind ninth-placed Bilton.

Division One leaders Guiseley can do themselves and Burley a favour by beating Pool, while second-placed Rawdon entertain an Adel side who have taken ten points from the last 12.

Green Lane meet in-form Kirkstall, while Otley take on a North Leeds side who have slipped from second to seventh after failing to win any of their last three games.

Olicanian’s hopes of moving clear of the Division Two danger zone will probably have to go on hold for another week because they entertain leaders Knares-borough, who have lost only once this season.

Silsden should be able to cement their second spot while keeping Harden in the bottom two but third-placed Steeton face a much tougher task against Colton, who last week inflicted Follifoot’s first defeat of the campaign.

Tong Park take on Bardsey in a mid-table battle while Calverley travel to Upper Wharfedale, both side’s fresh from high-scoring matches last week.

Ben Rhydding are in a group of four clubs at the bottom of Division Three and can expect no mercy from Illingworth, the only 100 per cent side in the league.

Second-placed Thackley travel to Hall Park, determined to notch a sixth straight win, while Menston should be able to keep hold of third place at Ilkley, another of the bottom four.

Skipton have lost three of their last four games but they should be too strong for inconsistent Horsforth, while Bolton Villas aim for a third successive win against Woodhouse, a side struggling for victories but who have managed five draws in their nine matches.

The tensest match of the day will be the clash of the bottom two. Addingham take on Alwoodley knowing that defeat will leave them 14 points adrift of their rivals.