Clayton have suffered a huge blow to their ever-decreasing chances of winning the Pennine League Premier Division championship.

Stand-off Scott Pendlebury is out for the rest of the season with a broken nose, and he is not only second in command to head coach Richard Hesletine, but he is the on- field general.

Playmaker Pendlebury will have reconstructive surgery which will rule him out of the start of the National League Three summer campaign with Bramley Buffaloes.

The Villagers have at least some crumbs of comfort when they face Illingworth at Lidget Green through the return of the injured trio of full back Damian Hunter and centres Richard Cousen and Danny Herbert.

Illingworth, who are third with games in hand, could have a motivational problem following their record 120-4 defeat at Rochdale Hornets in the Powergen Challenge Cup last weekend.

Relegation-haunted Birkenshaw may have an unexpected Premier lifeline following Westgate Redoubt's failure to send a side to Siddal last week.

The Wakefield club look certain to feel the wrath of the Pennine League's management committee, who in the past have automatically demoted teams for failing to complete their fixtures in their flagship section.

While Birky will not want to rely on charity and will be desperate to take the spoils when the sides meet tomorrow at East Bierley, the outcome could be academic.

Queensbury, now safe from the dreaded drop, welcome old rivals Keighley Albion to Hill Top. Bury have been playing scintillating rugby in recent weeks now that the shackles are off, with centre Trevor Stead back to the form that earned him county honours. Division One side West Bowling A are looking to post a double when they welcome St Joseph's to the Bankfoot Oval.

West' beat the visitors 17-12 at Fartown, but they have gone off the boil since reaching the Jack Senior Bradford Cup final and badly need a win to boost confidence.

Odsal Sedbergh have kept the flag flying valiantly, despite losing all of their 17 matches.

With just three matches left, a win against visitors Park Amateurs would be a just reward for all their efforts and disappointments.

The big match in Division Four is at table toppers Undercliffe, who face one of their main rivals for the title in York Acorn.

Undercliffe will be fresh after a week off but Acorn hit form by running in over 50 points against Wyke last time out.

Unbeaten Division Five championship favourites Bank Top Harriers are at home to near-neighbours Clayton A, while Division Six pacesetters Guiseley Rangers give Steve Barber and James Spencer fitness tests before travelling to Wyke A.