NERVES will be jangling at grounds across the Aire-Wharfe League on Saturday, with plenty at stake for several clubs.

Nowhere will there be a greater spring in the step than at Otley, where their title hopes have been boosted this week by the league docking Division One leaders Beckwithshaw 20 points for disciplinary reasons.

Suddenly Otley are only 15 points adrift of the Harrogate side, who they meet next week.

But first Otley must make sure there are no slip-ups in a tricky match against Rawdon, knowing that Beckwithshaw are odds on to take full points at relegated Colton.

It should be a great battle.

Rawdon, with Marcus Berryman in top form, have won four of their last five matches, including inflicting one of only two defeats suffered by Beckwithshaw.

Meanwhile, Otley have surged into contention, with James Davies, Chris Thompson and Stephen Brown heading a formidable attack.

Horsforth travel to Collingham, who look destined to join Colton in being relegated, while Ilkley are at North Leeds, who have clawed their way clear of the bottom two.

Guiseley, who need ten more points to be absolutely sure of survival, are at Burley - a side still smarting at letting a title challenge slip - while Pool entertain Bilton, seeking revenge for a four-wicket defeat earlier in the season.

One of the crunch games comes at Skipton, where Leeds Modernians are the visitors, with both sides locked on 180 points and desperate to avoid dropping out of Division Two with Thackley.

Skipton will start as slight favourites.

While their rivals have lost their last five matches, they have picked up three wins in the same period, and in Majid Inayat and Ben Holderness have batsmen in form, with more than a thousand runs between them this season.

But Modernians comfortably won the reverse fixture by seven wickets, and with bowlers like Jonathan Wiggan, who took 6-27 that day, and Stuart Borrill, they have an attack that can turn a game.

Just above those two, Calverley and Addingham still have a bit to do to be mathematically safe, and neither has an easy game.

Addingham will hope leaders Adel are as fragile this week as they were last, when they were skittled out for 66 by Hall Park, while Calverley entertain a Tong Park Esholt side looking for a fourth win on the trot.

Second-placed Ben Rhydding’s defeat at the hands of Follifoot last week allowed their opponents to close within 14 points of them, so they will be hoping Steeton succeed where they failed while they battle in-form Hall Park.

Thackley travel to Kirkstall, seeking nothing more than some encouraging performances to send them into the winter.

Saltaire’s collapse against New Rover last week blew the Division Three promotion battle wide open, and they face another big test this week when Green Lane visit Roberts Park.

But surely their resolve will be strengthened with the knowledge that victory will send them up?

It won’t be easy. Lane have won six out of their last seven matches and haven’t given up hope of overhauling Saltaire or second-placed Olicanian.

They have the division’s top batsman in Waleed Akhtar, and with Azhar Mahmood and Chris Spivey in attack, they can provide a test for any side.

While those two slug it out, Olicanian too need just one more win to be sure of second-tier cricket next year. They take on Bardsey, whose challenge has melted away in recent weeks.

Harden travel to Menston, while Bolton Villas take on bottom side Alwoodley.