The West Yorkshire derby promises to be a cracker with Hopton’s men desperate to bounce back with a win after their rained-off fixture against league leaders Knaresborough last Saturday.

A mixture of poor performances and one-pointers due to the weather has left Bardsey fighting for their lives near the bottom of the table but their skipper knows six important points tomorrow will see them moving in the right direction.

“It’s a big game this Saturday,” he said.

“New Rover are struggling this season but we know how important it will be for us to get the six points. We’ve moved down the table in recent weeks.

“This has been a mixture of bad results and rained-off games so that makes it even more important for us to perform.”

Hopton has targeted the wicket of Rover captain Michael Richmond as key if they are to progress.

Richmond has been in a rich vein of form this campaign and remains the lynchpin for Rover, opening the innings.

“We know he’s one of their better batters and, of course, it will be important to get him early,” said Hopton.

“There was another lad a couple of weeks ago who got some runs for them but basically he’s their key man. If we get him early then that will be a great start.”

On Saturday the rain intervened in Bardsey’s clash against Adam Pryor’s ‘Boro’ at the tea interval with Bardsey closing on 120 all out, Jonty Smith top scoring with 34.

“It was a difficult wicket to bat on but I suppose we’ll never know if 120 was a good score or not,” added Hopton.

“We didn’t bat particularly well and that’s something we’ll have to work on this week.”

Steve Bowes is the only major absentee tomorrow but will return to the side next Saturday at Calverley.

Division Two

PPts

Knaresborough 1458

Silsden1447

Steeton 1447

Follifoot1445

U. Wharfedale 1444

Colton 1439

Calverley1434

Bardsey14 31

Olicanian1430

Tong Park1428

Harden1425

New Rover 14 16