LINDLEY Swifts will be hoping to move a step closer to county cup glory this weekend.
Coach Kevin Bower’s side host Sharlston Rovers in the third round of the Hamuel Reichenbacher Cup, knowing victory would set up a home fourth-round tie against Westgate Wolves.
But the Swifts know they’ll need to be at their very best if they are to make further progress.
While Lindley have two of their three Pennine League Second Division fixtures, Sharlston have won all four of their Premier Division games and are one of the favourites to claim the county cup crown.
As a result, this tie promises to provide the ultimate challenge.
Meanwhile, another Premier Division side who have won their opening four top-flight fixtures are Slaithwaite Saracens.
But that unbeaten start is about to be tested to the full when they visit leaders Queens, who have won four of their opening five games.
In contrast, St Joseph’s have suffered a wretched start to their Championship Division campaign and are second bottom of the table after five straight defeats.
So they will be hoping to kick-start their season tomorrow when they visit rock-bottom Ossett Trinity.
Newsome Panthers look as if they’ll be firmly in the First Division title hunt, and that should be confirmed with a home date against struggling Bentley Good Companions.
In Division II, Emley Moor are going just as well and will be confident of rattling up their sixth win from seven starts at Brotherton Bulldogs.
At the same time, Underbank will be hoping to start a climb up the table with a home fixture against fellow mid-table team West Craven Warriors.
Third-placed Division V side Slaithwaite Saracens have also made a rock-solid start to their season and a home victory over Eastmoor Dragons would be their fifth so far.
That would also be the case for fourth-placed Meltham All Blacks, who host Whinmoor.
And Newsome A should make it a hat trick of Huddersfield triumphs in the division when they visit bottom club Hollinwood.
Underbank A should also be confident of success in Division VII when they make the trip to bottom club Cowling Harlequins.
