Burley in pole position to get better of rivals Beckwithshaw (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Burley in pole position to get better of rivals Beckwithshaw

2:10pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

There is no doubting the match of the day as the Aire-Wharfe League season reaches its penultimate games on Saturday, with DIVISION ONE leaders Burley hosting Beckwithshaw – their closest challengers and defending champions.

A magnificent season with just one defeat to date – against Otley – has seen Burley amass 102 points, yet they have not been able to shake off their rivals.

But they know that a win, winning draw or even a tie this weekend will give them the title for the first time since 1964.

It will be tough though as, in John Inglis, Beckwithshaw have a batsman who already has 1,000 runs to his name this season and the outcome might swing on his duel with Nick Brook, whose wickets have been so valuable to Burley.

At the other end of the table, Rawdon face a difficult trip to Otley and will be hoping that Thackley take points off Adel and Guiseley do the same at Pool to help them steer clear of the drop zone.

Third-placed Green Lane entertain Kirkstall Educational, hoping to bounce back from last week’s heavy defeat by Beckwithshaw.

In DIVISION TWO it would take a major upheaval to prevent Follifoot and Bilton from being promoted, so much of the interest is in the bottom half where mathematically six clubs could still drop into the relegation spots.

Having beaten Knaresborough last week, Silsden can boost their chances once again when they host bottom side Illingworth.

Calverley’s recent good form has taken them just above the drop zone but they have the toughest match against visiting Bilton.

Of the three endangered sides above them, Tong Park Esholt and Knaresborough go head to head and Bolton Villas travel to Olicanian, the one team who could grab a promotion spot if the top two slip up badly.

The only game with nothing at stake is Steeton against Harden, two sides who have shown that with a bit more consistency they might have been in the promotion mix.

The only thing certain about DIVISION THREE – apart from Alwoodley’s re-election – is that we will not know who is promoted until after the final match.

Victory for leaders Ben Rhydding would confirm visitors Hall Park in the re-election zone and, depending on other results, could clinch their own promotion.

But with Ilkley and Menston hot favourites to win against Bardsey and Horsforth respectively, it is likely to all depend on the final games.

Addingham can underline their massive improvement this season by winning at Alwoodley, while Skipton travel to Colton.