BAILDON, fighting for survival in Yorkshire Division Three, have made a managerial change ahead of their trip to Sheffield Medicals tomorrow, with former player Jake Duxbury becoming their senior player-coach in place of Robbie Hill.

Former Jenny Lane coach Dave Duxbury will mentor his son, while Dan Cookson and David Ruff will continue as coaches at the club.

Phil Wilson, rugby chairman at the Jenny Lane club, said: “Robbie, who is getting married in May, was going to go at the end of the season anyway but we have parted on good terms.

“He has done a fantastic job for us over his six years, helping to set up and develop girls’ rugby as well as setting up Baildon’s Rugby Rascals (three to six-year-olds) and building strong relationships with local schools.

”Robbie had already stated his intention to step away from the club at the end of the season and we mutually agreed that we felt it would be best for both parties for him to leave the club early.

“In leaving now it gives both the club and Robbie the chance to plan for next season and beyond.”

Baildon are eight points adrift of safety with an inferior points difference, with Wilson admitting that their situation is perilous.

If they do go down, Wibsey are favourites to be one of the teams to replace them.

The Villagers, who host third-placed Mosborough in Yorkshire Division Four Premier, could be promoted tomorrow night if they win and other results go their way.

Bradford & Bingley, who are fifth in North One East, are at bottom-of-the-table Consett and will make a late decision on whether skipper Tom Booth plays.

Bees coach Anthony Posa, delighted to have overseen another Roses victory for Yorkshire Under-20s against Lancashire last weekend (35-25 on the artificial pitch at Preston Grasshoppers), said: “Consett have beaten Driffield at home and run others close.

“We should win if we play to our maximum, but we are wary.”

Cleckheaton, who have lost all six matches since winning at Wagon Lane in December, are only one place and one point above the drop zone ahead of their trip to ninth-placed Pocklington, who have won three and drawn one of their last four home matches.

“We have had massive injury problems but we have been in every game since we played the Bees, so there are no big issues,” said Cleckheaton’s player-coach Thiu Barnard.

Salem have lost Kiwi Callum King for the rest of the season as he has gone to Australia, but they welcome another player from the Christchurch-based Sydenham club in To’I Auali’tia ahead of the home game against Hullensians in Yorkshire Division One.

“We also hope to have Ryan Smith, Harry Hall and Rhys Green available,” said Klenk.

Tenth-placed Keighley, who have lost their last three matches, host fourth-placed Pontefract.

Old Grovians, who welcome back the elusive Max Kennedy (after watching Burnley beat Tottenham last weekend) and the whole-hearted Pad Burns and Danny Secker, have another home derby – this time against Old Otliensians – in Yorkshire Division Two.

“We will need to be on our mettle as Otliensians have some very dangerous players,” admitted Grovians’ assistant coach Dan Nulty ahead of the match against bottom-of-the-table opponents who have won their last two matches.

Bradford Salem (home to Hullensians) from: T Auali’tia, C Baines, L Barker, D Belcher, C Clough, W Collins, N Fontaine, J Green, R Green, G Griekis, S Guttenbeil, H Hall, M Jurevics, M MacDonald, K Moore, E Phillips, S Savage, D Scarbrough, J Simpson, R Smith, B Whitaker, A Wood, C Wood.