Rawdon title credentials on line

10:20am Thursday 3rd July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Rawdon face what could be the most significant game of their season when they travel to Beckwithshaw in Aire-Wharfe League Division One on Saturday.

They start the second half of the campaign in fourth place, two points behind their hosts, four adrift of Kirkstall and trailing leaders Guiseley by nine.

Significantly, these three teams have beaten Rawdon this season and a second defeat at the hands of their closest rivals could signal that the title is beyond them.

Otley, buoyed by reaching the quarter-finals of the Waddilove Cup, travel to Kirkstall hoping to complete the double over them. However, their opponents are currently the form side with four successive wins.

Guiseley travel to North Leeds and need to shake off their shock cup defeat by Green Lane if they are to keep their cushion at the top.

Lane have the chance to move into the top half of the table if they can inflict more misery on bottom of the table Collingham.

Burley have dropped into the bottom two and, with tough games against Kirkstall and Beckwithshaw coming up, need to repeat their early season win over Adel to avoid being cast adrift.

With Division Two leaders Knaresborough favourites to beat struggling Harden, Silsden and Steeton know they can’t afford to slip up.

Steeton have the easier looking match against New Rover, while Silsden face a Bardsey team capable of producing surprises. With Matthew Pinniger chasing his fourth successive century, Silsden should be able to do enough to keep up with the leaders.

Ben Way is another batsman in tremendous form and he and Upper Wharfedale can do the other two a favour if they beat fourth-placed Follifoot.

Calverley aim to make it two wins in a row for the first time this season against Olicanian, while Tong Park face a tough trip to Colton.

Thackley lost their opening game of the season against Menston but, with Mahir Ali in devastating form, they will be favourites to reverse that tomorrow and maintain their chase of Division Three leaders Illingworth.

The top side face much-improved Bolton Villas, while Skipton will expect to keep up their challenge against Ilkley.

Ben Rhydding pulled off a thrilling win over Villas last week and will look to pick up another six points against inconsistent Horsforth. Hall Park should be far too strong for Alwoodley.

Addingham, who are still without a win, travel to Woodhouse – the only side against whom they have achieved a winning draw but who have taken 17 out of 24 points from their last four completed matches.