Prayers start for a full day's play

10:05am Thursday 11th September 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

It just needs one sunny day on Saturday to ensure a stunning climax to the season and wipe out the memory of all those soggy, grey Saturdays that have plagued the Aire-Wharfe League in 2008.

Going into the final match of the season, three clubs are still in with a chance of winning the championship and three must battle it out to avoid the two relegation spots from Division One.

The 24-point deduction im-posed on Knaresborough for over-bowling 18-year-old Australian Dale Tormey means that three clubs have a second-chance to fill the space alongside Silsden at the top of Division Two.

And in Division Three, second-placed Thackley meet leaders Illingworth, knowing that victory will give them the title by virtue of having won one more game.

Despite being three points behind leaders Kirkstall, Guiseley start the day as slight favourites to be crowned champions just a year after winning promotion on the grounds that they are playing bottom-of-the-table Bilton. Kirkstall, who have lost three of their last four, travel to Rawdon knowing they need at least a winning draw, but it could be a day for slide rules.

If Kirkstall lose and Guiseley get two points or fewer, Adel, who take on Otley, and North Leeds, who travel to Burley, could finish level on points with the top team.

In that case, North Leeds would miss out on fewer games won, but Adel would have the same number of wins and would snatch the title by virtue of fewer defeats.

While Bilton are battling against Guiseley, Pool and Collingham – the other two threatened by relegation – meet each other.

Silsden are confirmed as champions of Division Two and, ironically, take on Knaresborough.

But that decision has opened the way for three other clubs, two of whom, Steeton (67 points) and Follifoot (62), meet.

Both will be aware that Calverley (63), who have lost only one of their last seven, will be expected to take full points off Tong Park.

As well as the scrap for the title in Division Three, Addingham will entertain Skipton hoping to pick up enough points to escape the wooden spoon at the expense of Alwoodley, who are expected to struggle against in-form Ilkley.