Close encounters for weekend action

9:56am Thursday 26th June 2008

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If the Aire-Wharfe League fixture list had been created by script writers rather than at random, it is hard to think they could have come up with a more tantalising scenario than will take place this weekend.

In Division One, second-placed Rawdon on Saturday travel to in-form Kirkstall, the side two points behind them in the table. Then on Sunday the sides meet at Town Street in the quarter-finals of the Waddilove Cup.

By a twist of fortune, Otley also face a double-header, away at Adel in the league before hosting them in the cup.

In Division Three, second-placed Thackley take on Illingworth, hoping to be the first team to take a point off the leaders and to reduce the seven-point gap between them.

But Division Two is even more explosively interesting, with second-placed Silsden travelling to leaders Knaresborough, while relegated clubs Steeton and Follifoot, currently third and fourth respectively, also clash.

With a fairly comfortable-looking trip to Bilton ahead of them, Division One leaders Guiseley should enter the second half of the season still top of the table and will hope Green Lane can at least take some points off third-placed Beckwithshaw.

Guiseley’s feelings will change on Sunday when they take on Green Lane in the cup.

With Pool favourites to beat bottom club Collingham, Burley need to match them at North Leeds or they will drop into the bottom two.

While the top four do battle in Division Two, Upper Wharfedale face a tricky trip to Colton and Calverley take on Tong Park, perhaps with half an eye on Sunday’s cup match against Bilton.

Harden can climb out of the bottom two if they overcome bottom club New Rover while Olicanian, who are currently only three points ahead of them, might struggle at Bardsey.

Illingworth and Thackley have opened up a healthy lead in the third tier but the next five clubs are covered by just five points – the difference between Menston and Hall Park, who meet at the Fox & Hounds ground.

Between them come Skipton, who have what should be a comfortable match against bottom club Addingham, Bolton Villas, who should be too strong for Ben Rhydding, and Woodhouse, who host inconsistent Horsforth.

Ilkley also face a crunch match at second-bottom Alwoodley, who are only one point behind them.

Unless there is another wash-out, the tables will look very different come Saturday night.