AS the Aire-Wharfe League season reaches the halfway point, fourth-placed Burley appear to be finding the form that could see them mount a serious challenge for their first championship title for six years.

They have some ground to make up after a sluggish start in which they lost three of their first five games.

But since then they have won all their completed matches, including beating leaders Beckwithshaw, whom they trail by 25 points.

Tomorrow they tackle North Leeds, the side two points ahead of them, in what could well be a dress rehearsal for the Waddilove Cup final.

Having already seen off their opponents in a high-scoring game on May Bank Holiday, and with Nick and Richard Brook and Jason Wright in towering form, they have the chance of putting down a warning marker to the top two.

Ilkley could do Burley a favour if they could dent Beckwithshaw’s progress, though that doesn’t seem too likely, while on current form, Pool would need to ‘do an Iceland’ to topple second-placed Otley.

Horsforth’s challenge has faltered a little, but with Byron Boshoff setting a hot pace in the batting averages after scoring 491 at just over 70, they can get back on track at Collingham.

Steeton, who only avoided relegation last season because of Follifoot’s big points deduction, have slipped into the bottom two but have the chance to pick up some valuable points when they entertain bottom club Kirkstall, who seem to have lost their way this season.

With two big innings behind them, Rawdon will be full of confidence against a Bilton side that is over-dependent on Vic Craven.

Division Two leaders Guiseley travel to second-placed Colton, the only team to defeat them so far this season.

Much will depend on how Colton respond to having been skittled out for 73 by Addingham last week.

That win, inspired by Henry Barrow (5-32) and Rob Ellis (4-45), put Addingham up to third and they will be expected to overcome bottom side Harden, although they will have noted their opponents also had a big win when they knocked over Knaresborough for 64.

Only 17 points separate fourth-placed Calverley from Thackley in ninth, and positions are changing regularly in mid-table, making it hard to predict the result of Ben Rhydding’s visit to Adel or Thackley’s to Knaresborough.

Skipton, for whom Pieter Coetzer is in rich form after smashing 11 sixes in his 129 not out last week, should be too strong for Follifoot.

Meanwhile, Calverley, with Ben Waller plundering 395 runs so far from the middle of the order, and consistent all-round performances from Nav Panesar, should make short work of Illingworth.

Division Three leaders Hall Park should have no trouble against bottom side Upper Wharfedale, and it will be a major surprise if Leeds Modernians don’t come away from Menston with a win.

Tong Park Esholt, who have Mahir Ali riding high in the bowling averages with 36 wickets at 8.4, should also win against struggling Bardsey and, depending on bonus points, could make up the two they are behind Modernians.

Green Lane are fourth but 31 points back and face a difficult game against New Rover, while Olicanian will be hoping for more of the same from Saj Ijaz (5-20) and Ed Broadley (4-32) who dismissed Menston for 98 last week, when they entertain Bolton Villas.

Silsden showed improved form in last week’s washed-out match against New Rover, and if they can maintain that, they should win against Alwoodley.