THE metaphorical 'wire' has been reached. Wharfedale visit Harrogate on April 26 in their final National Division Two game of the season knowing that they must get at least a point if they are to remain in control of their own destiny.

The Dalesmen's hefty win over Kendal last weekend was rendered unimportant by victories for all their relegation rivals, crucially Nottingham's home win over Sedgley Park.

Defeat in the final game would leave Wharfedale vulnerable to a last-day win for Nottingham at Stourbridge and unable to challenge either Newbury or Launceston, the two sides just one point above them in the survival battle.

A draw at Claro Road would leave Nottingham needing a 22-point winning margin against their Midlands rivals and while recent form suggests that the Beeston side are capable of clutching the life-line, they may not be able to get the margin needed to hold off the Dalesmen if the league points are equal.

Victory at Harrogate represents a tough challenge for Wharfedale, who were beaten at home by the Claro Road side earlier in the season in a match which suggested that both teams might be heading for the relegation zone.

Harrogate edged the result and went on to stay among the front-runners, but Wharfedale continued to struggle and as a result found themselves as relegation candidates.

In recent weeks they have been recapturing the kind of form which would have spared them the indignity of being among the strugglers had it been produced earlier. Wins at Nottingham and at home to Doncaster and Kendal moved them out of the bottom three, but their rivals have also been raising their game in recent weeks, hence the current situation.

Nottingham may start favourites at Stourbridge given the recent form of the West Midlands side, but Newbury face a stiff test when they entertain second-placed Henley Hawks while Launceston will be the underdogs when champions Penzance visit them for the South West derby.

Wharfedale's response to pressure in recent games has been to produce something approaching their best and if the quality of their displays continues to correspond to the gravity of the situation, they can certainly collect the win they need.

Meanwhile Skipton and North Ribblesdale ended disappointing league seasons with defeat. Ribb were relegated while Skipton's early season form fizzled out. Still, it does ensure a couple of Craven derby games to savour next season.