VICTORY over derby rivals Keighley would be just what the doctor ordered for Skipton tomorrow at Sandylands, (writes Tony Simpson).

With a Powergen Vase tie against Daventry on the agenda next week, a win would avenge an earlier Yorkshire Division Two league defeat at Utley and send morale and confidence soaring in advance of that crucial hurdle on the road to Twickenham.

After a comfortable win at Leodiensians last week, the mood in the camp ought to be buoyant, but the Sandylands team know that they will need a sharp improvement on their form in the first meeting to have any hope of revenge.

Skipton travelled to Utley as favourites to re-launch fixtures between the clubs with a win, but under-achieved in spectacular style to finish 25-12 losers. The visitors were 22-0 adrift at half-time and though they clawed their way back into the game after the interval, they never really threatened, even when Keighley had a player sent to the sin-bin.

"The Keighley display was our worst of the season," says spokesman Chris Windle. "We were blown away in the opening stages and never really got into the game. It was inexplicable really. We were fast asleep."

Making amends for that performance should be only one of the motivating factors tomorrow. Another will be the need for individuals to secure places in next week's cup line-up and ensure that if the knockout adventure does end at Twickenham, they are not the ones to be disappointed.

Competition within the squad should be a more potent force for good tomorrow than any suggestion of players being preoccupied with saving themselves for the cup.

The shape of the Skipton side has changed subtly in recent weeks, but with players returning from injury and others uncertain about their availability, the final make-up is still fluid..

Tomorrow's line-up, for example, shows a couple of changes to that which won at Leodiensians. Last weekend, Frenchman Anthony Maldera withdrew with a shoulder problem, allowing Darren Howson to resume at centre after an ankle injury.

Tomorrow Maldera is back to partner Andy Porter at centre, Howson taking over at full-back from Garry Heims, who moves to the replacements bench. The pack shows two changes of personnel from last week.

Prop Bob Birks is unavailable because of work commitments, allowing Neil King to take over at loose-head. Since he will probably be needed to deputise for holidaying skipper Declan Hayes next week in the cup-tie, a run-out should be helpful.

Jack Morgan was brought on as replacement for the last quarter of the game after being out since before Christmas with a damaged hand and he came through without any problems to take over in the back-row from Mark Davison, who is skiing.

Lock Andy Townsend returns on the bench after working last weekend, Graham Newhouse keeping his second-row place alongside Adam Winthrop.

A new name on the bench is that of Baden Burns, who steps up to provide front-row cover. With Birks absent and Chris Howarth out with a broken rib, Skipton's resources are being stretched in an area where cover is not only desirable, but also mandatory.

One significant change to the side beaten at Keighley is the inclusion of prolific wingman Paul Lacy.

He was on the score-sheet again last weekend and the Reds will be hoping that he will give them an extra cutting edge.

Skipton: D Howson; P Lacy, A Porter, A Maldera, M Beech; A Oldfield, D Brown; N King, D Hayes, P Jenkinson, A Winthrop, G Newhouse, J Morgan, I Scrivin, R Rauputu. Replacements: G Heims, B Burns, A Townsend.