WITH some teams not having played since December 7, there is always uncertainty when it comes to the first game of the new year, but Bradford & Bingley, whose pack make-up is likely to be fluid, are worrying less than most.

The Bees, who are eighth in North One East, are at home to Huddersfield YMCA, who are having a nightmare season.

The men from Laund Hill, who went into administration in September due to substantial sums being claimed by the YMCA Pension Trustees Limited, were subsequently docked 33 points and have lost all 13 of their matches so far.

The visitors have only collected four bonus points - two from losing by seven points or less and two from scoring four tries in a match - so are now on minus 29 points and are certain to go down.

"I don't think that there is a better time to play them," admitted Bees coach Hugh Gumbs.

"Going into administration knocked the stuffing out of them and their issues still haven't been resolved."

The Bees will be without Ali Macdonald, who has an infected nose, and Will Bentley, who is joining the Armed Forces, but expect to have lock Joe Daley back as competition for places increases.

Cleckheaton are fourth - a position that player-coach Thiu Barnard says "I am really happy with".

He added: "If we had got those losing bonus points at Percy Park and beaten Moortown we would be top."

Cleckheaton, who have won six out of seven at Moorend so far this campaign, are again without Brad Marsden for the home match against 10th-placed Percy Park.

Bradford Salem, beaten 27-0 by a strong Baildon side on Boxing Day - Salem used what was basically a second XV plus colts against a mixture of first and second-teamers - are at in-form Goole in Yorkshire Division One.

Like many teams, 10th-placed Salem won't have finalised their line-up until after training last night, but fear that Goole, who have won four of their last five, may be heading for a points deduction.

Salem's chairman Neil Klenk explained: "Goole lost two of their props injured in their 22-0 win at Hullensians on December 14 and went to uncontested scrums.

"They were then due to play Old Brodleians in a re-arranged game the following Saturday but the match was postponed - apparently because Goole could not raise a front row, and you cannot use that as an excuse for calling off a match and sanctions could follow."

Keighley, who are 11th, should be guaranteed a decent crowd for their home match against ninth-placed Dinnington (2pm) as there is a past players' reunion lunch beforehand.

Old Grovians, fourth in Yorkshire Division Two, entertain bottom club Barnsley, who haven't won since October, when they defeated Wetherby 43-22.

Wibsey, who have no free Saturdays until April 18, host Yorkshire Division Three leaders Leeds Corinthians.

"We still have to fit in our Yorkshire Vase match against Mosborough," said Wibsey's secretary Steve Brooke.

"That may have to be played in midweek but it is turning out to be the longest game of poker ever."

Fourth-placed Baildon are expected to have a few changes in personnel for their game at seventh-placed Castleford.

Wibsey (home to Leeds Corinthians) from: A Rose, J Brown, J Bradbury, A Cerson, E Cousins, D Conroy, M Darragh, M Kite, S Grant, D Carr, J Payton, A Batey, H Hall, K Carter, R Smith, B Mpofu, E Culling, R Moore, J Ratcliffe.