Baildon 28, Knottingley 5: Little seems certain in rugby union - particularly at this stage of the season - but there was a mood of relief at Baildon's annual dinner in their clubhouse on Saturday night.

The Jenny Laners had finished off their season earlier in the day in fine style, handing champions Knottingley only their third defeat of the campaign.

It is now categorical that Baildon will finish fourth from bottom, and they are optimistic that that will be high enough to avoid the drop - whatever the knock-on effect from above.

Match number 22 of their Yorkshire Division Four season was also the last for their coach Malcolm Lightowler.

He heads for Bosnia on Wednesday as part of the police's international police peacekeeping force, but he didn't see the victory, although he did attend the dinner.

"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," explained Lightowler. "I had gone into the office to clear up some paperwork and the phone rang.

"I was foolish enough to answer it and it meant me borrowing a uniform to go on duty at Valley Parade as many of my colleagues were policing an Indian Festival in the city centre."

Yes, slightly understrength Knottingley had little to play for but pride. However, this match was an indicator of what Baildon can achieve when they get something like their best side out.

"It was the most pleasing performance of the season," said retiring skipper Dave Ruff, "and we needed the win to make sure we weren't relegated.

"Everything was fairly relaxed beforehand, and while Knottingley conceded that they didn't play particularly well, they also said that we did play well.

"It seemed that we scored with virtually every opportunity playing downhill in the first half, and there always seemed to be a gap somewhere.

"We made breaks and there seemed to be somebody in support on their shoulders, and Matt Waddington deserved his two tries. He has supported well all season, picked up the pieces and went over with three opponents on his back. On a dry, hard pitch we have got players - such as Chris Smithies - who can beat somebody one-on-one and put somebody away."

Baildon's other points came from flanker Nick Murphy who plunged over after it looked as if they would kick at goal, and influential fly half Dave Wilde, who also converted all four.