Since an opening season draw, Ilkley have won all but two of their 13 completed matches yet still find it impossible to shake off the other promotion hopefuls at the top of Division Three in the Aire-Wharfe League.
Ben Rhydding are currently level on points but in second place having won one game fewer while, four points behind, Menston doggedly refuse to be shaken off and arguably have a slightly easier run-in.
With accurate bowlers like Chris Quaife and Richard Harrison, Ilkley have succeeded in restricting their opponents to low scores – all the points they have dropped have been when the opposition have passed 200 – and they will hope they can continue that against fourth-placed Colton tomorrow.
But Colton are a good side and, as they have to play all three teams above them, have not given up their own hopes of going up.
Ben Rhydding, at home to Horsforth, and Menston, at Bardsey, have more comfortable-looking matches and it would be a major surprise if they didn’t pick up maximum points.
Addingham should get the better of Hall Park but Skipton face a difficult match against New Rover.
In Division One, leaders Burley face a Kirkstall Educational side without a win since early June and will be hoping that mercurial Guiseley have one of their good days against second-placed Beckwithshaw.
Green Lane know they need to get the better of Collingham or their opponents will take over in third place, while Otley can push North Leeds a step closer to what looks like inevitable relegation.
Thackley travel to Rawdon hoping to continue a run that has seen them have the better of five of their last six outings.
The Division Two race seems to be who can come runners-up to Bilton, alth-ough the chasers will be hoping Bolton Villas can dent the leaders’ charge.
Harden have slipped to third, five points behind Follifoot and they certainly won’t have an easy afternoon against a Calverley side who have shown signs that they might avoid the drop in recent weeks.
Olicanian are a further six points back and face Sils-den, a team also fighting against relegation.
In fact, no team in the bottom half of the table can be completely comfortable, so Tong Park Esholt will need more big hitting from Luke Waters and Fawad Maqsood at Upper Wharfedale, while Steeton could do the rest a favour by beating Knaresborough.
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