THERE is no doubting the Aire-Wharfe League's top match tomorrow as title hopefuls Otley and Burley – both smarting from defeats last week – go head to head.
After losing three in a row, Burley have slipped from top to sixth in the Division One table and are already 33 points behind leaders Beckwithshaw.
They need to find more batting support for Nick Brook, Ed Brown and Charlie Davy if they are to halt the slide and, more importantly, a sharper edge to their bowling.
Defending champions Otley had looked in good form until that setback against Kirkstall and they will be keen to reduce the 14-point gap to Beckwithshaw, who they are due to play at the midway point and in the final match of the season.
Steeton have their chance of revenge for being knocked out of the Waddilove Cup by Ilkley last Sunday when they meet again tomorrow.
Ilkley have Alex Bailey in form after innings of 105 and 67 last weekend but they have not bowled out an opponent in the league since the opening day of the season, which will be encouraging for Steeton's batsmen.
Rawdon, having been knocked out of the cup for the second year running by Division Three minnows Addingham, will look to restore their pride at North Leeds, while Guiseley desperately need to get their season going but face tough visitors in Kirkstall.
There is an intriguing match in Division Two, where two teams who have been struggling to hit top form meet on the back of morale-lifting wins.
Tong Park Esholt knocked Illingworth off the top of the table, while Thackley ousted Green Lane – the new number one – from the cup in startling fashion, skittling them for just 44.
Lane will look to shrug that off when they travel to Pool, while Harden will hope that an impressive cup display against Burley can be built on at Illingworth.
Skipton climbed to third after last week's win over early pacemakers Colton and will expect to reinforce that against Ben Rhydding, who are the only team in the division yet to win a match.
Will Atkins and Ricky Palacio scored 326 runs between them in Addingham's two wins last weekend – and they have the chance to make hay once more against Upper Wharfedale, who have only claimed 12 wickets in their last four games and are in the Division Three bottom two.
Two wins have sent Bolton Villas up to fourth in the table but they are likely to find Calverley much tougher opponents than either Menston or Hall Park – who, by coincidence, meet in a scrap to stay above the bottom two.
Having hit 240 and 228 in their last two innings, Silsden must be wondering why they still have not won a match. Yet they won't find it easy against Olicanian, who are fresh from two wins last weekend – including a giant-killing over Tong Park Esholt.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here