A modest piece of Craven rugby history will be made tomorrow at Grove Park, Settle when Skipton and North Ribblesdale meet for the first time in a league game, (writes Tony Simpson).

Both clubs have had their share of successes since the advent of league rugby, but until they were brought together in Yorkshire Two this season following the relegation of the Settle men last term, their paths have never crossed in league rugby.

The pair were due to meet at Grove Park in the friendly towards the end of last season, but Skipton withdrew because some of the players didn't fancy making the trip with a weakened team and a prolonged bout of internecine rowing erupted between proud old-timers and those of a more pragmatic persuasion.

Tomorrow there are no excuses about under-strength line-ups. The Reds have even had the luxury of delaying team selection until after last night's training session before deciding how best to deploy their forces.

While they are still without Paul Lacy (rib trouble), Ian Sneddon (broken arm), Brian Broxsom (damaged thumb) and the unavailable Matthew Cox, they are at strength up front, where it appears that the battle is most likely to be decided.

Both teams have been giving a good account of themselves in the pack, with the Ribblesdale back-row of pair of Mick Carr and Ryan Kirkbride both earning plenty of rave reviews. South African newcomer Korsten Kriel joins them tomorrow in the absence of Russell Howarth and having almost got the better of Ilkley through their pack last weekend, a tight, forward-based strategy seems likely.

Interestingly, though, it was the potency of the Ilkley back-play which undid the Grove Park men rather badly last weekend, so Skipton's new coach Ashley Thomas will have some thinking to do when it comes to devising a winning game plan.

However, he will be glad to have a handful of players back in action. Sean Kennedy was unavailable last weekend because of work commitments and is back in the frame to meet his former team-mates, while another ex-Ribblesdale player, Alan Newhouse, is fit for consideration after being sidelined with an arm injury.

Ian Scrivin is back from a holiday absence to compete for a back-row berth alongside new Kiwi Chuck Kepa, who made a good impression last weekend on his debut against Beverley.

North Ribblesdale are strengthened in their threequarters with the availability of wingman John Hargreaves and centre Pat Illingworth, who were both unavailable last weekend at Ilkley.

It all adds up to an entertaining prospect, especially if the visits of table-topping Beverley to the two clubs in the last fortnight provide any sort of form guide.

The East Riding side were 27-11 winners at Grove Park two weeks ago, while last weekend they topped Skipton 29-10 at Sandylands. Tomorrow, of course, the game is at Settle, which will give the home side the edge, but Skipton, whoever they choose, will be significantly strengthened.

With both sides needing points to stave off the threat of a relegation struggle, a keen tussle seems assured.