BAILDON, who have a Harry Houdini-like ability to escape relegation, again find themselves immersed in a tank full of water with their hands and feet bound by chains.

The Jenny Laners, who finished third from bottom in Yorkshire Division Three in 2015-16 (when Bramley Phoenix finished one point behind Baildon after being deducted 35 points) and 2017-18, thus avoiding demotion by one place, are in the same position ahead of tomorrow’s vital derby at Aireborough.

The hosts, who are bottom with 12 points but are only a point behind Baildon and are level with Leeds Modernians, are one of only two teams that the visitors have beaten this season, with Robbie Hill’s side winning 26-22 in September.

“It is a massive game and, knowing Aire’s pitch, it won’t be a free-flowing game of rugby,” said Hill, “but I don’t think that I can name a much-better side.

“A total of 37 players have made themselves available, which isn’t unusual for a derby, and we have Marcus Dracup, Nicky Lister, Ollie Waddington and Matty Robinson in contention in the backs and Zac Orrell in the forwards.”

Wibsey, hoping to be playing in Yorkshire Division Three themselves next season, have a potentially difficult home game against derby rivals Bramley Phoenix in Yorkshire Division Four North West.

The unbeaten leaders only won 13-12 at Bramley in October, and Wibsey fly half Andy Robinson admitted: “They gave us a good game but we weren’t as on the ball as we usually are that day.”

Bradford Salem may risk No 8 Christian Baines at home to Selby in Yorkshire Division One, but equally may rest his troublesome knee, which may eventually need a clear-out operation.

Eighth-placed Salem have beaten their tenth-placed visitors the last three times they have pitched up at Shay Lane, but Selby have bettered Salem the last three times they have played at Sandhill Lane.

Keighley, who are 11th, have a much more difficult task at third-placed Old Crossleyans.

Old Grovians, who are 12th, have an equally testing start to the new year at fourth-placed Leodiensian in Yorkshire Division Two, and have Joe Garforth back in the front row after shoulder and hamstring injuries and may risk fellow prop Alex-Dodd Jones.

However, they may rest hooker Matthew Worrall’s ankle, and will be without centre Alex Masterson and scrum half Ryan Lister (ill), potentially handing former Ilkley player Jack De’ath a debut at No 9.

Cleckheaton hope to tap into their fine form at Moorend when they tackle leaders Scarborough in North One East.

“We have only lost two games at home this season (both narrowly), it is a difficult place for visitors to win at,” said Cleckheaton’s player-coach Thiu Barnard, “and we are picking from full strength with the return of Joey Carley and Brad Marsden.”

Bradford & Bingley, beaten 23-10 by Cleckheaton at Wagon Lane last time out after seven straight wins, have a testing return at second-placed Huddersfield YMCA.

Bradford Salem (home to Selby) from: C Anderson, J Ashworth, C Baines, W Barker, D Belcher, C Clough, W Collins, K Dobson, N Fontaine, S Gardner, R Green, G Griekis, S Guttenbeil, H Hall, C King, M Macdonald, K Moore, S Savage, J Simpson, R Smith, M Trueman, B Whitaker.

Wibsey (home to Bramley Phoenix): B Wright; J Payton, R Moore, N Marchant, R Goldsborough; A Robinson, K Carter; S Birkbeck, J Brown, J Bradbury, E Cousins, J Tordoff, R Simpson, M Kite, M Darragh. Replacements: B Mpofu, S Foulds, M Grimes, S Smith, R Greenwood.