Birkenshaw have been rocked by the surprise resignation of coach Richard Hesletine prior to their visit to Pennine League Premier Division leaders Siddal.

The highly-rated Hesletine has guided Birky from Division One strugglers to Premier title favourites in his five-year stewardship and will continue at the helm until the end of the season.

He has informed the club that he feels that he has taken the present side as far as he can and will be more than willing to work alongside his eventual successor.

Birkenshaw are inviting applicants for the post, but the first job is to gain an invaluable double over their main rivals Siddal in order to maintain their championship aspirations.

A repeat of last month's 36-4 home win would be most welcome, but injuries to Owen Buckley (concussion) Eddie Filtness (knee) and Lee Wilkins (hamstring) could prove difficult to overcome.

Queensbury, who have ghosted into fourth spot and are coming good just at the right time, are at home to bottom outfit Underbank Rangers.

The Holmfirth side are set to join rugby league's new National League set-up in the summer, but they have struggled at local level for a number of seasons.

They should be no match for a Bury side in which centre Trevor Stead and loose forward Lee Charlton are bang in form.

In Division One, it is West Bowling A's turn to try and lower the colours of leaders Westgate Redoubt at Bankfoot.

The Wakefield side are generally acknowledged as one of the best teams in the Pennine League, but Bowling have the skill and the experience to put a spanner in the works.

Clayton have also hit a purple patch of late and look set to continue the good work at home to basement outfit Rotherham.

Victoria Rangers can at last forget about cup commitments and concentrate on regaining league success.

They have a hard task when they face Thornhill Trojans at Newlands but their only injury doubt is hooker Ray Greenwood (cut eye).

Top of Division Two Odsal Sedbergh are at home to Queensbury A in what has traditionally been a close encounter whatever their respective league positions, and Wyke have included rookie wingman Ian Watkinson and Alan Binns in the squad to face Siddal B in the Division Four clash at Towngate.

Division Six Thornton will give scrum half Stuart Margerison and forward Alan Dutton fitness tests on their damaged shoulders prior to their home clash against St Josephs A. Thornton are on a roll and will be seeking the double in their march to achieve the first promotion in their history.