BRADFORD Salem may be three places and 13 points above a relegation berth but after six straight defeats in Yorkshire Division One, they are looking beneath them rather than above them.
Although they are at home to Selby – one of four clubs behind them – tomorrow, the Heaton club are taking nothing for granted.
The North Yorkshire club lost nine of their first ten league matches this season, including a 67-0 drubbing by Salem at Sandhill Lane.
However, Selby have won three matches since and lost three others narrowly, and Salem's first-team manager Neil Klenk said: "They have certainly shown improved form and, even though we ran riot in the second half, it was only 10-0 at half-time at their place."
Salem are without prop Adam Hewitt and fly half Jamie Booth, who were both sent off in the closing stages of their derby defeat at Old Brodlieans last Saturday, but back come three players who were not available.
They are utility forward Tom Craven, lock James Cunliffe and flanker Jamie Booth, younger brother of Matt, while Harry Hall starts at fly half, where, ironically, he filled in for part of the match at Selby.
Leaders Bradford & Bingley have a doubt about prop Ryan Wederall away at Brods (2.15pm) but hope to field the same side that won at Scarborough.
Cleckheaton lost their National League Three North derby at Ilkley earlier in the season but are confident that they can reverse matters if they take them on in the forwards at Moorend.
Cleckheaton (home to Ilkley): Michael Piper; M Barlow, J Wilson, Matt Piper, M Heyward; R Evans, J Bickerdike; P Turner, J Crowther, M Chivers, R Piercy, L Pearson, T Austin, R Piper, J Seddon. Replacements: A Piper, J Malkinson, D Graham.
Bradford & Bingley (at home to Old Brodleians): B Greaves; N Gore, T Fiddes, L Moore, A Mitchell; S Driver, R Scull; R Raper, M Cochrane, R Wederall, H Jeffrey, B Mitchell, M Akauosa, T Cummins, T Booth. Replacements: M Crotch, G Whately, A N Other.
Bradford Salem (home to Selby): D Belcher; N Fontaine, S Savage, C Wood, R Smith; H Hall, M Child; J Bradbury, T Craven, R McKessar, J Cunliffe, D Snowden, J Booth, C Bain, A Veitch. Replacements (from): S Gardner, I Woodwiss, D McNicholl, M Smith.
Old Grovians (home to Sheffield Medicals): J Harrison; J Gilbert, A Griffin, J Hartley, D Hogg; B Brown, T Gough; C Blackhall, M Worrall, J Garforth, M Mitchell, E Roberts, J Trenholme, C Baines, D Secker. Replacements: M Williams, J Deu, P Burns.
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