WHEN the Yorkshire Division Three fixtures came out in the summer, most interest from Baildon and Wibsey was centred around when they would face their city rivals, despite there being a plethora of Leeds-Bradford derbies in the division.

The initial meeting is tomorrow at Northcliffe Road and is the first league encounter between the rivals since the 1990s.

They also met in the 1999 Yorkshire Silver Trophy final at Wagon Lane, which Baildon won, but with Baildon tending to operate two or three divisions higher than their rivals, league meetings have been rare.

Although each has played only two league matches so far this campaign, there is a form line as both have played Castleford at home.

Wibsey, who are eighth, triumphed 31-15 on September 7, with Baildon, who are sixth, winning 29-5 last weekend, suggesting a close encounter tomorrow.

Andy Robinson’s hosts are missing Ryan Smith, Adam Jefferson and Luke Wilson but have Elliot Cousins, Chris Farley, Aiden Batey, Robson Moore and James Birkbeck back.

Baildon will be looking for lock George Morris to give a man-of-the-match display as he did in the victory over Castleford.

Robinson said: “I am expecting Baildon to be well drilled, well organised and strong up front.”

Wibsey (home to Baildon): D Belcher; R Moore, B Wright, A Batey, K Walker; A Robinson, K Carter; A Cerson, J Brown, J Bradbury, E Cousins, J Tordoff, C Farley, M Kite, M Darragh. Replacements: S Birkbeck, A Rose, R Simpson, J Birkbeck, B Mpofu.

Old Grovians (home to Old Rishworthians): M Kennedy; G Butler, R Jones, G Philips, T Stearn; A Masterson, R Lister; A Dodd-Jones, A Crookes, B Pearson, S Dodd, P Elcock, J Johnstone, L Morgan, D Secker. Replacements: L Harrison, J Neal, M Frost.