DEFENDING champions Beckwithshaw entertain Bilton in a clash between the current bottom two clubs in Aire-Wharfe League Division One tomorrow.

That almost unbelievable sentence not only sums up the topsy turvy nature of the start of the season but is also ominous for Guiseley who need to beat leaders Otley to avoid one of the bottom two climbing above them in the table.

The odds seem stacked against them. Guiseley have yet to pass 200 runs in an innings and 30 per cent of their 693 runs have come from just two batsmen, captain James Thistlethwaite and Damon Reeve.

In contrast their opponents have found runs easy to come by. With Stephen Brown, Ben Morley and Chris Thompson filling three of the top batting slots in the division, Otley have averaged almost six an over in all but their one defeat, at the hands of Rawdon.

Burley lost ground on the leaders last week with defeat by Horsforth and now tackle an Ilkley side fresh from victory over Pool, thanks to skipper Will Spivey (55) and Ian Chaplin (48 not out).

The biggest threat to Ilkley’s victory was James Rosewarne, whose four-wicket spell took his tally for the season to 16 and Pool will need him to be in top form again if they are to dent the progress of second-placed Follifoot.

After a good start to the campaign, including inflicting Otley’s only defeat so far, Rawdon have slipped up in the last couple of weeks and need to find their form again at Horsforth who are now only four points behind them in the table.

There is no doubting the match of the day in Division Two with the leading pair, Tong Park Esholt and Saltaire, clashing at Roberts Park.

TPE will still be smarting from last week’s first defeat, fielding mistakes seeing them let Colton build a winning total. Saltaire, meanwhile, were inflicting a first loss on Addingham to take over the second spot.

Addingham should have few problems getting back on course against Steeton, the only side in the division without a win so far.

Calverley are also struggling with only one win to their name and now tackle Kirkstall who themselves have looked more fragile than usual this season.

Olicanian are hovering just above the bottom two but could well improve that position against a Ben Rhydding side whose only victories so far are against the bottom two.

With a 20-point gap already opened up to third-placed Bardsey, dominant Division Three leaders Green Lane should have little difficulty in maintaining their impressive start to the season against struggling Thackley.

Having won two of their last three, Bolton Villas will be confident going into their match against Skipton but will need to beware Ben Holderness who is averaging over 90 with the bat.

Harden entertain Menston in a match that is too close to call, having started the season with almost identical records.