WITH the run-in well and truly underway, many clubs are getting out their calculators and working out what they need to do to be safe.

Nowhere is the situation more fraught than in Yorkshire Division Two, where Old Grovians are sixth in the table with four matches to go but are not certain of staying up.

“It is a bit barmy,” admitted Grovians’ assistant coach Dan Nulty of a division where only nine points separate North Ribblesdale in fifth and Yarnbury, who are two places above the relegation line in 11th.

Grovians still need another eight points to mathematically avoid demotion, and Nulty added: “One more win should do it but I would like to think that we are already safe.”

The Apperley Bridge club, who have won six of their last eight matches, host leaders Goole, who have scored over 50 points in their last two games, tomorrow.

Grovians are without Matt Dakin, Joe Harrison and new father Pad Burns, among others, but welcome back Joe Lawrence and Josh Dixon and can, if they need to, call-up a jet-lagged Ben Brown, who is due to return from China.

In North One East, Cleckheaton are at bottom-of-the-table Consett, who broke their seasonal league duck with a 39-37 victory at Moorend in November.

Cleck are one place and three points above the relegation line, and player-coach Thiu Barnard said: “It is a must-win game, and all of remaining four matches are ‘cup finals’.”

After Consett, 11th-placed Cleck host Morley (third), visit Percy Park (sixth) and entertain Malton & Norton (ninth).

Fifth-placed Bradford & Bingley, doubtless still pondering their home defeat against Morley a fortnight ago, must hope that their discipline is on the mark when they head north to Percy Park tomorrow.

Bradford Salem, who have already incurred costs of £450 in cancelled coach fees for trips to Middlesbrough – they have no idea when that match will be re-arranged – are at home to cellar dwellers Guisborough in Yorkshire Division One.

Salem, who are ninth, are not mathematically safe themselves and don’t want to be the first team this season to hand the north-easterners a win on the road.

“We thought that they might struggle as a level transfer from Durham & Northumberland but they are certainly not whipping boys,” admitted Salem’s chairman Neil Klenk of the visitors.

Baildon, who face an uphill struggle to survive in Yorkshire Division Three, face a stiff test at fourth-placed Castleford.

At least the Jenny Laners had the consolation of a bonus point in a 14-13 home defeat to leaders Wensleydale last time out.

“Would I have accepted a bonus point before kick-off. Yes. Should we have won? Maybe,” admitted Baildon’s coach Dave Duxbury.

“We played really well up the hill in the first half but then failed to put any pressure on Wensleydale down the slope and with the wind in the second half.”

Leaders Wibsey are almost over the line in terms of the Yorkshire Division Four Premier crown.

They need six points from their last two matches, starting with a tough test at fourth-placed Mosborough.

Wibsey’s player-coach Andy Robinson said: “They have a big pack and gave us a good game earlier this month at our place, but they haven’t got the fastest backs.”

The visitors welcome back full back Brad Wright (from suspension), wingers Ryan Goldsborough and Jimmy Rodgers, centre Jordan Payton, lock Elliot Cousins and Mark Darragh, among others.

Wibsey (at Mosborough) from: B Wright, R Goldsborough, R Moore, J Payton, B Mpofu, S Smith, J Rodgers, M Holdsworth, S Birkbeck, J Brown, J Bradbury, E Cousins, J Tordoff, M Darragh, L Wilson, M Kite, A Cerson, R Greenwood, D Wilkinson, A Rose.

Bradford Salem (home to Guisborough) from: T Auali'tia, L Barker, C Clough, W Collins, N Fontaine, S Gardner, J Green, R Green, G Griekis, S Guttenbeil, H Hall, R Langhorn, M MacDonald, R McNicholl, K Ngwenya, T O'Sullivan, E Phillips, S Riley, S Savage, D Scarbrough, B Scholefield, J Simpson, R Smith, B Whitaker, C Wood.