As it will require a series of results too crazy to contemplate to deny Beckwithshaw the Aire-Wharfe League Division One title this season, the race is on to see who can claim the runners-up spot.

Burley are currently in pole position, 21 points behind Beckwithshaw, but they have faltered in recent weeks and a hot-streak of form from Guiseley marks them as the side to watch.

They have won four of their last five – the other match a tense tie with Harden – and have moved up to fourth, eight points adrift of Burley.

They are not a powerful batting side – that tied match was the only time they have passed 200 all season – but with Dave Pennett and Tallan Wright taking 53 wickets between them and some solid support from the likes of Chris Wain, they are always capable of bowling out an opponent.

On Saturday they travel to out-of-sorts Collingham with hopes high of another six points.

Burley are at Otley, while Ben Rhydding, level on points with Guiseley, are the latest side to try to end Beckwithshaw’s unbeaten run.

At the other end of the table, Steeton entertain Follifoot aware that defeat would allow their opponents, currently in the second relegation spot, to move to within six points of them.

And having slipped to the bottom after defeat by Follifoot, Harden know full points are needed against Pool, a side against whom they earned their first points earlier in the season.

Every week produces a titanic clash in the Division Two promotion race and few will be bigger than tomorrow’s between Thackley and leaders Rawdon.

At one stage Thackley looked hot favourites to bounce straight back to the top flight and, even though they have slipped to sixth spot, they are still only eight points adrift of second-placed Tong Park Esholt.

And they certainly have the players to storm through the final eight matches. Yasser Ali, with 558 runs, currently leads the division’s batting total while Nasser Jamal, who has taken 40 wickets at a cost of 8.95 each, is the pick of the bowlers.

But Rawdon have earned their place at the top and will be seeking to do the double over Thackley so they can keep the chasing pack at bay.

Any slip up by the leaders would allow Tong Park Esholt to move above them and they have an easier looking task at relegation-threatened Colton, as do third-placed Knaresborough, who entertain a Bolton Villas side without a win in their last four starts.

Ilkley should maintain their challenge by beating second from bottom Bardsey, while Calverley risk being cast further adrift at the bottom if they can’t pick up any points against Adel.

Green Lane travel to North Leeds in the only match in the division which is unlikely to affect either promotion or relegation.

In Division Three, leaders Skipton will be expected to beat Olicanian, even though the visitors were the first team to take a point off them earlier in the season.

And that could stretch Skipton’s advantage because the two sides below them, Upper Wharfedale and Horsforth, slug it out in a heavyweight contest.

Addingham have yet to play a drawn match this season and will be anxious to end a four-match losing streak against Woodhouse.

With 626 runs to his name already this season, Johnny Johnson is looking for a third successive century and he and Ricky Palacio would love to repeat their 334-run stand when the sides met earlier in the campaign.

Hall Park entertain Alwoodley, trying to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom three, while Menston will be expected to overcome bottom side Silsden but will be wary of Majid Inayat, who only needs ten more runs to reach 500 for the season.