CLECKHEATON were promoted last season from SSE North One East but the two matches they lost were to Huddersfield YMCA.

The Laund Hill club won 12-7 at home and 12-8 away and, having come up via the play-offs, made it a hat-trick of victories when they triumphed 31-24 last October.

YMCA are therefore bidding for four straight when the derby rivals meet at Cleckheaton tomorrow in National League Three North.

However, fifth-placed Cleckheaton have won six of their last seven league matches, and drew the other 3-3 at home to leaders Sandal a fortnight ago.

YMCA are 11th, and Cleckheaton rugby chairman Neil Gillan said: "They are our bogey team, and there is no rationale for that."

Apart from ending that sequence of derby defeats, there is another telling reason to win.

It is Cleckheaton's first match since club president, fixture secretary and press officer Alan Bentley died, and there will be a minute's applause at the pre-match luncheon and a minute's silence prior to kick-off (3pm), with the John Bower Trophy at stake as usual in clashes between Cleck and YMCA.

Winger Lee Queeley is not available for the hosts, so Cameron Burnhill comes in.

Dan Scarbrough's versatility is already proving a boon for Yorkshire Division Two leaders BRADFORD SALEM.

In the absence of Jack Mitchell, the former England international winger is at scrum half for their home match against Ripon, and the Heaton club hope to give a debut off the bench Mitchell's Bradford University room-mate Andrew Hanlon.

The former Otley first-teamer can play at No 8 or lock, which is even more useful considering back-rower Jamie Booth is not available tomorrow.

BRADFORD & BINGLEY'S latest attempt to shed their away-day blues is at third-placed Percy Park in North One East, and lock Richard Hughes and prop Roger Raper add their experience to the Bees' mix.

OLD GROVIANS also have a veteran back in the fold as prop John Oakes is available for their push for the Yorkshire Division Three title at home to mid-table Harrogate Pythons. BAILDON have delayed selection before their home derby against third-placed Old Modernians.

OTLEY, who have won five of their last eight matches in National League Two North, bid to continue the good work at home to Stourbridge, while WIBSEY, who have won two of their last three in Yorkshire Division Five, host cellar dwellers Rossington Hornets.

Cleckheaton (home to Huddersfield YMCA): R Hayden; C Burnhill, J Wilson, Matt Piper, M Woodhead; Michael Piper, J Bickerdike; P Turner, B Thrower, A Dawson, R Afoa Paterson, T Hanson, O Akroyd, R Piper, J Seddon. Replacements: J Crowther, D Vento, C Mason.

Bradford Salem (home to Ripon): D Belcher; S Savage, C Clough, R Smith, C Malarkey; A Robinson, D Scarbrough; J Bradbury, A Veitch, S Davies, J Cunliffe, D Snowden, C Wood, M Gibbons, J Fawcett. Replacements: J Morrell, R McKessar, A Hanlon.