THERE'S an intriguing mid-table battle in Division One as Rawdon and Ilkley meet on Saturday.

After two wins over Burley and Otley, Rawdon crashed to a ten-wicket defeat against Beckwithsaw, one of the sides tipped to be in the championship hunt.

Ilkley have only one win – their season opener against Kirkstall – but they were very unlucky to miss out narrowly last week against North Leeds after century maker Nick Cockcroft was run out and they made short work of in-form Guiseley in the Waddilove Cup, overseas player Ben Pengelley making a good impression.

There’s no doubt which end of things Horsforth plan to be. Already they and Beckwithshaw are the only top flight clubs with 100 per cent records and Burley will do well to end that record.

Defending champions Otley will also expect to be in the title mix and they will be full of confidence at Bilton who they beat comfortably in the cup last Sunday.

At the other end of the table Pool have struggled to make an impact on their return to Division One and they will be looking for their first win at North Leeds.

Steeton, who are already adrift at the bottom, look set for a long, hard summer and it will be a major surprise if they upset Beckwithshaw.

Ben Rhydding are the latest side to try and end the perfect start Guiseley have made in their bid to bounce straight back after being relegated to Division Two.

With Richard Nichols and Mike Truswell in good form, Guiseley will start as firm favourites but need to be wary of Kervon Christmas and Red Bolton who are capable of turning any game.

Thackley’s new signings are settling in well, especially former Farsley batsman Jack Holland who followed up 110 in the league last week with 68 in the cup, and they should be too strong for Adel.

Skipton, who were on the end of a cup defeat by Green Lane, travel to face Knaresborough and their dangerous overseas star in Kiefer Peries.

Bottom of the table Harden entertain Follifoot while Addingham’s hopes of reinforcing a solid start to the campaign will be tested by Calverley.

Hall Park are top of Division Three and take the division’s only 100 per cent record to Bolton Villas who crushed Upper Wharfedale last week and pulled off one of the cup surprises by beating Knaresborough.

There promises to be a mighty clash at Green Lane, who also knocked a side from a higher division out of the cup, when they entertain Tong Park Esholt whose victory over Leeds Modernians last week put them up to second in the table.

Olicanian should have no problems dispatching struggling Alwoodley while Menston, for whom Tom Lester has already scored 259 runs in three matches, will be confident in their replay of last week’s cup match against Silsden which they won by seven wickets.