Bradford and Bingley may be in fifth place, nine points behind leaders Tynedale after their defeat there just before Christmas, but that hasn't dimmed optimism at Wagon Lane.

"Tynedale and Hull Ionians still have to come to us," says Steve Oddy - a member of the Bees' rugby executive.

"And with a little bit of luck in terms of injuries etc we can still mount a strong challenge.

"Conditions at this time of year - mud and cold - don't suit our game, but we are at home to Driffield tomorrow and are confident we can get the right result."

Driffield have been a bogey side for the Bees in the past, winning two and drawing one of their most recent meetings.

Oddy added: "They have a good pack, strong backs and a good goal-kicker, but we could have won all those three games."

"Unfortunately we will be without Hugh Gumbs, who broke a leg against Halifax."

Tim Marlow comes in for Gumbs and Asa Firth (broken wrist) is back to play on the wing.

Wharfedale, third in Jewson National League One, keep the same starting line-up for their home game against Preston Grasshoppers.

There will be a minute's silence before the kick-off in memory of the dalesmen's press officer Keith Lewis, who died on New Year's Eve.

Leaders Otley, at Nottingham, are without suspended lock Paul Williams and injured full back Simon Hawkins (broken leg). Ryan Duckett is also unavailable for the No 15 shirt, so Peter Wright fills in.

Bradford Salem give a league debut to former Keighley lock Darren Close in their home Yorkshire Division One derby against Ilkley.

The 32-year-old used to play for Salem's second team when he was a colt in the late 1980s.

North East Division One strugglers Keighley will be without No 8 Duane Wallis for the rest of the season. He has returned to South Africa because of the death of his grandfather.

Keighley, at Goole, again play Gary Davey at fly half. Matt Gaffney continues at full back.

Cleckheaton will leapfrog hosts Selby into at least fourth place in North East Division Two if they defeat them. The visitors keep Martin Waite at prop after an impressive display last Sunday against Huddersfield YMCA.

Aireborough may only be seventh in Yorkshire Division Four, but aren't ruling themselves out of promotion. They still have key opponents to play at home, and entertain Wetherby tomorrow.

Bradford & Bingley (home to driffield): M Coultas; J Marr, T Marlow, M Inman, A Firth; R Petyt, B Greaves; A Smith, P Scott, R Thomas, A Murphy, M Heap, M Thomas, H Greenwood, J Potter. Replacements: T Garnett, B Clarke, R Woodhead.

Wharfedale (home to preston Grasshop-pers): J Davies; A Mounsey, A Hodgson, D Whitfield, B Whitfield; N Heseltine, G Smith; R Lancaster, J Lawn, N Dickinson, P Evans, D Lister, R Buckroyd, C Vyvyan, H Verity. Replacements: S Gilbert, C Ingram, S Allen.

Otley (at Nottingham): P Wright; S Smith, R Whatmuff, M Billington, M Kirkby; D Clappison, A Brown; D Hall, D Sayers, S Rice, I Carroll, P Curtis, P Griffin, J Burke, L Filipo. Replacements: R Kelly, J Skurr, T Lauriston.

Bradford Salem (home to Ilkley) from: J Simpson, C Luxton, N Klenk, A Fella, D Cope, T Franklin, D Howson, A Dalton, S Fox, J Fitch, S Markey, S Newton, C Buxton, J France, D Close, R Flynn, J Luxton, B Scarbrough, S Cowman.

Ilkley (at Bradford Salem): R Hey; B McDonald, P Merkin, N Bell, C Easton; D Duxbury, M Carr; M Noble, P Mitchell, R Dennis, K Bates, M Newberry, C Hems, BJ Fowler, J Widdup. Replacements: C Cooper, A Pell, A Merkin.

keighley (at Goole): M Gaffney; K Young, P Lee-Gallon, S Mortimer, J Hinchliffe; G Davey, J Kubran; R Riley, S Walsh, T Adam, P Southgate, M Feather, T Midgley, A Bennett, M Lister. Replacements: R Emmott, N Marklew, J Duffy.

Cleckheaton (at Selby): A Green; J barker, J Tozer, J bentley, M Docherty; R Ham, G Morris; D McSwiney, M McSwiney, M Waite, M Womersley, J Brooksbank, N Gillan, M Wood, S Bishop. Replacements: C Glassett, J Hutchinson, A Foster.

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