CLECKHEATON'S coach Scott Benton does not seem to be plagued by nerves ahead of their key National League Three North home game against fourth-placed Wirral on Saturday.

"This is the big one – again," laughed the former England scrum half, referring to their 28-24 victory at Moorend just under a fortnight ago when Firwood Waterloo went back to Liverpool with their tails between their legs.

Cleckheaton are two places above a relegation berth but only two points better off than the clubs immediately below them – Doncaster Phoenix and Morley – with two matches to go.

But Benton added: "It is in our own hands. It is a nice forecast and it is up to us to be mentally tight and make the right decisions at the right time.

"Although we have lost James Wilson (cracked ribs) and are without Danny Vento, we hope to have Lee Queeley and Ross Hayden back."

Morley are at home to eighth-placed Lymm, while Phoenix are at play-off chasing Hull, and Benton said: "I cannot see Doncaster Phoenix getting anything at Hull.

"These are the sorts of games that you want to play in, and also Wirral having nothing to play for and don't travel well over our way."

A win could make Cleckheaton safe, while Wharfedale, who have three matches left, still need a point to be certain of avoiding relegation from National League Two North.

As they will need Jamie Guy in their last two matches - at home to leaders and away to basement boys Preston Grasshoppers – they have dropped him to the bench at fifth-placed Chester.

Robbie Davidson and Josh Prell are the new wingers, while James Tincknell switches to centre in place of Guy.

The back row also has a new look, with skipper Rob Baldwin returning from a two-match suspension and Lewis Wilson available after England Under-19 duty.

Otley, who are four points from safety, host third-placed Leicester Lions.

Bradford & Bingley are at Penrith in North One East, and director of rugby Martin Whitcombe said: "We have unearthed some young talent who are more than holding their own, and will see the benefit of that next season."

Bradford Salem are withour No 8 Christian Baines (torn shoulder ligaments) as they face a relegation-threatened team for a second successive week in Yorkshire Division One.

They beat Yarnbury 33-22 at Shay Lane last weekend and are at Acklam on Saturday.

Keighley, who are seventh to Salem's eighth, are at play-off chasing West Leeds.

Old Grovians, now safe in Yorkshire Division Two after their win at Old Crossleyans last Saturday, are at Barnsley, while Aire-Wharfe Plate semi-finalists Baildon, who are sixth in Yorkshire Division Three, have a derby at fifth-placed Leeds Modernians.  

Wharfedale (at Chester): H Bullough, R Davidson, J Tincknell, T Davidson, J Prell; T Barrett, S Gaudie; J Altham, D Stockdale, T Asejevs, A Howard, G Hedgley, R Baldwin, J Burridge, L Wilson. Replacements J Poole, I Larkin, C Swainson, S Borrill, J Guy.

Bradford Salem (at Acklam): D Belcher; N Fontaine, H Hall, A Robinson, R Smith; M Booth, J Mitchell; W Collins, A Veitch, T O'Sullivan, J Cunliffe, B Whitaker, C Wood, J Booth, C Manchester. Replacements: D Luxton, J Morrell, A N Other.