PROMOTION for a second successive season could be the prize for Skipton RU on Saturday when they complete their Yorkshire Division Three programme with a game against Sheffield Oaks at Sandylands.

The recent defeat at Malton & Norton robbed Skipton of control of their own destiny and even if they win tomorrow, they are not guaranteed to go up. The situation at the top of the table offers a string of permutations, all of which are too tight to call.

However, while the outcome is not certain to be resolved tomorrow, if Skipton can achieve a winning margin which reflects the relative league status of the two sides - the Reds are top of the table and Sheffield Oaks are next to bottom - they will become a very strong bet to claim one of the two promotion places and could even guarantee themselves promotion if other results are favourable.

With second-placed Heath entertaining York RI, who are fourth and in contention, and third in the table Malton & Norton facing a potentially tricky test at Old Otliensians, Skipton can at least get a footing in Yorkshire Two tomorrow if they can avoid any mishaps.

A boost for Skipton on the eve of this crucial match comes in the shape of an 'all clear' for captain Declan Hayes. He was carried off with knee trouble in last Saturday's game at Leeds Corinthians and at that stage it seemed certain that he would be an absentee tomorrow.

Happily for Skipton, the injury has proved not as severe as was first thought and he trained with the side without any ill effects and takes his place in an unchanged squad.

Skipton won the away game against the Oaks 21-8 in October when they took a depleted side to Malin Bridge and also lost No 8 Myles McDuff with a damaged hand before half-time. The evidence of that performance suggests that Skipton could be in for a handsome win tomorrow if they can produce their best.