TWO clubs with totally different agendas are ready to go head-to-head in a big Pennine League Division I derby clash tomorrow.

Lindley Swifts host Newsome Panthers in a game where the home side desperately need to start winning to avoid the dreaded drop, while victory for the visitors would keep their promotion hopes alive.

That provides even more value to a contest that is already one of the main fixtures on the Huddersfield amateur rugby league calendar, with the outcome almost impossible to predict because of the fierce local rivalry.

But it’s also a big weekend for many other Huddersfield clubs, with Underbank Rangers eyeing a place in the semi-final of the Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy.

That will be achieved if the Division III title-chasers can win at home to Thornhill, who are unbeaten in the second Division!

In the Premier Division, St Joseph’s face the toughest possible test at home to leaders Drighlington, while Slaithwaite Saracens travel to Wibsey for a mid-table tussle.

Emley Moor’s struggling Championship Division campaign continues with a trip to Birstall Victoria, and in Division IV both of the town’s teams are at home.

Newsome A host second-placed Stainland Stags, while Slaithwaite A are at home to third-placed Hillsborough Hawks.

Division V side Meltham All Blacks visit Whitehall Warriors and St Joseph’s A are at bottom club Whitworth Spartans.

And in Division VII, Underbank A are away to Dewsbury Moor A.

Meanwhile, the Pennine League has re-affirmed its intention to continue to run as a winter competition next season.

The Rugby Football League announced earlier this week the new summer league format, when the vast majority of amateur clubs have agreed to the switch.

But Pennine League officials have released a statement making it clear they will be carrying on as usual, and it reads:

“The management committee of the Pennine Amateur Rugby League would like to confirm the league will once again be hoping to operate another successful season for the season 2012-13 based on its current September to May format.

“The league currently caters for just under 100 entrants, embodying clubs and teams from the Yorkshire and Lancashire areas. It currently operates with nine divisions from the Premier and Championship Divisions, to divisions one down to seven.

“Plans are also in place to increase and/or regionalise the divisional format if so required. The Pennine League is hoping to offer a competitive divisional structure for teams operating within the Yorkshire AND Lancashire regions, who wish to remain playing in the ‘traditional’ September to May playing season.”