Rugby Union: Thwaites North Division Two leaders Bradford and Bingley seem to be refreshed after their three-week break.

Lock Matt Hague, who was playing with an injured shoulder for the closing weeks of 1998, will have been particularly grateful for the rest.

He is named in the Bees' side for their home league match against Percy Park.

Several other players, who were competing with less serious problems, will also be better for the festive holiday. Still out, however, is prop Tom Garnett with knee trouble.

Chris Hemsley, who played for the second team against Sandal last weekend having resumed after a seven-week suspension, is on the bench. Hooker Peter Scott is still suspended, however.

Baildon, who make a rare trip to Stocksbridge in Yorkshire Division Three, have named a squad of 17.

With Richard Moorhouse and Nick Oddy unavailable, coach Malcolm Lightowler seems certain to give Stuart Williams a run out on the wing for the third-placed club, who only trail York RI on points difference.

Wibsey coach Gary Durn meets an old Phoenix Park team-mate of his in the same section.

Prop Andy Cassar is in the Leeds Corinthians team who come to Northfield Road.

The basement club are hoping that Jason France is fit enough to play No 8 after flu.

Wibsey may have lost all ten league matches so far, but they have a formidable-looking back row of France, the experienced Richard Hands and New Zealander Simon Kidson, who has played for Eastern Pirates in Rotorua.

Bradford Salem have skipper and scrum half Terry Franklin back for their North East Division Three home match against leaders Selby.

Damien Cope is on the left wing for the home side, and John Hall returns to the back-row.

Salem full back Joe Simpson, who made his first team debut at Selby in late October, says: "We started like a house on fire and were 12-0 up inside ten minutes, and it was just disappointing that we lost 29-12. However, they were good all-round."

Keighley are in a slightly worse boat than Salem, but to have any realistic hope of finishing in a promotion slot both must win at home tomorrow.

Danny Mavro is back for out-of-sorts Keighley at centre against Goole in North East Division One, and Darren Close and Simon Atkin resume their partnership in the second row, both having missed last Saturday's 30-25 club defeat at Bradford Salem.

Chris Weatherill, who played flanker at Shay Lane, reverts to No 8, Darren Ideson dropping to the bench.

Keighley skipper John Duffy said: "We are eight points behind second-placed Halifax, and they have to come to us."

Both Wharfedale and Otley take a break from their demanding Jewson National League One schedule, and have the day off.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.