Ben Rhydding could create Aire-Wharfe League history (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ben Rhydding could create Aire-Wharfe League history

4:40pm Thursday 25th August 2011 in Aire-Wharfe League By Richard Coomber

If results go with them, Ben Rhydding can clinch promotion to the Aire-Wharfe League top flight for the first time on Saturday.

Having fought their way out of Division Three last season, Ben Rhydding recruited experienced overseas star Jason Wright, and he has led the way together with Nick Smith and Charlie Swallow as they have taken the Division Two by storm.

Victory over Calverley on Saturday would be their fifth in a row and take them to 90 points, and that will be out of reach of Knaresborough if the third-placed club go down to defeat against leaders Steeton.

But Ben Rhydding won’t have it all their own way. Calverley are battling to survive in this division, only four points above the drop zone, and having taken two points off their opponents earlier in the season, they will be scrapping for all they can get.

Calverley are one of four clubs in the dogfight that could go to the final week of the season.

Bottom club Tong Park Esholt entertain Upper Wharfedale, the side who are 11 points above them, but the visitors, who have had four matches rained off, have only managed 12 points out of a possible last 72, and Park will recall that they came out on top of a high-scoring match earlier in the season.

Sandwiched between those two, three points behind Wharfedale, are Menston, who have a great chance to pick up some points against inconsistent Harden.

Olicanian, fresh from their Ed Brown-inspired win over Knaresborough, entertain Pool, while Bolton Villas travel to North Leeds, two sides locked on 56 points in fourth place.

In Division One, Thackley need just 12 more points to be crowned champions, and they should pick up six of those against Rawdon, whose relegation would then be confirmed.

Guiseley are one of only three sides to beat second- placed Kirkstall this season, and Thackley will be hoping Dave Pennett’s men can put a further dent in their rivals’ charge.

Green Lane were second in the table the last time they faced Otley.

That day they were bowled out for 54, with Stewart Dobson picking up 7-29, and since then they have slumped to tenth in the table, only five points above the relegation zone, and they badly need to end a five-match losing run.

There should be an entertaining match at Collingham, where the consistent wicket-taking of Toby Jacklin will be pitted against the hot form of Dan Meredith, who has picked up 15 wickets in his last three starts.

Ilkley can take another step towards joining Bardsey in promotion from Division Three by winning at Addingham, while their main rivals for the second spot, Colton, face a difficult match against Illingworth, who are still not completely out of the race.

It will take a superhuman effort from struggling Hall Park to deny Bardsey the three points they need to reach 100 for the season, while a win for Skipton against Horsforth will mean they are safe from re-election.

Silsden, who have hit a lean patch since a run that saw them drop only two points in six starts, entertain fourth-placed Woodhouse, who still entertain outside hopes of grabbing the second promotion spot.