CLECKHEATON'S proud home record faces its stiffest test of the season on Saturday.

The Moorenders, who have won all six of their matches at Bradford, host SSE National League Three North leaders Sale, who have won five out of six on their travels.

"We are not expecting to play them again," confessed Cleckheaton's fixture secretary Alan Bentley, "because we expect Sandal and them to go up.

"Sale's only away defeat was to Sheffield Tigers, and they are another top team, but we will get into Sale's faces and see what happens."

Cleckheaton's last outing was a 25-24 defeat at home to Old Brodleians on Boxing Day in the Fred Scott Memorial Match but Bentley added: "That will have no bearing on Saturday.

"In fact, it will have done the Boxing Day fixture a lot of good. When we were in the same division, it was okay but now we are two divisions higher, losing has breathed life into the match when it could have become one-sided."

Bradford Salem also had a run out on Boxing Day, winning 43-19 at Baildon in preparation for their Yorkshire Division Two match at Leodiensian.

Salem haven't lost yet this season, winning five out of five of their away league matches, but Leos is a tricky venue for them.

"They were the only team to do the double over us last season," said Salem's fixture secretary Neil Klenk, "so we are always wary."

In fact, the Heaton club have taken the extra precaution of a light training session and team run through tonight, as today's session was postponed due to it being New Year's Day.

Centre Chris Clough has recovered from impact on a knee that forced him off the pitch at Jenny Lane last Friday.

With Richard Tafa still in Tonga for the festive period, Bradford & Bingley's player-coach Stuart Dixon could well pick himself for their North One East home match against Northern – a battle between teams who are11th and ninth in the table respectively.

Old Grovians' director of rugby Martin Whitcombe says the most difficult job in the club these days is selecting the first team, such are his options.

The Yorkshire Division Three leaders are not taking their home match against bottom-of-the-table Hemsworth, lightly, however.

"There are some funny results at this time of year when sides' preparation has been disrupted," warned Whitcombe.

Baildon, seeking their second away win of the season, hope to have Joe Moore and Sam Thompson back for the trip to Harrogate Pythons in another clash between 11th and ninth (Baildon).

Bradford Salem (at Leodiensian): D Belcher; S Savage, C Clough, R Smith, A Wood; A Robinson, J Mitchell; R McKessar, A Veitch, S Davies, R Green, J Cunliffe, C Wood, M Gibbons, J Fawcett. Replacements (from): D Snowden, J Ashworth, J Bradbury , J Morrell.