CAN anyone stop Slaithwaite Saracens?

That’s the question now being asked as the Huddersfield side starts to turn up the heat in Division I of the Pennine League.

The in-form Saracens are already two points clear at the top of the table and are now bolstered by the return of their Underbank Conference National players.

As a result, their performances have stepped up a level, something which was reflected in their 84-4 thrashing of Illingworth last weekend, with the manner of the victory suggesting promotion to the Premier League is a mere formality.

Tries from Mick Bostock (2), Nathan Shaw, Darren Hawkyard, Luke Karolczuk, Bobbie Bahadori and Ritchie Hawkyard and six Danny Garside conversions helped Slaithwaite build up a 40-4 interval advantage.

And in the second period, the referee blew for time with 15 minutes remaining to prevent the final scoreline being even more of an embarrassment.

During that 25-minute second-half spell Slaithwaite ran in 44 unanswered points, with Bostock doubling his tally and David Holmes, Simon Burkinshaw, Bahadori, Stuart Dunbar, Joe Worthington and Richard Flooks all crossing for tries and Holmes landing six conversions.

Not surprisingly, that form has put the Saracens in excellent mood ahead of tomorrow’s home fixture against third-placed Clayton when the expected triumph will put them in an even stronger position on the League ladder.

Fellow First Division side Emley Moor are also buzzing at the moment on the back of last week’s Pennine Presidents Cup triumph at Premier Division New Earswick All Blacks, and they will be confident of making it four League wins at home to bottom club Wyke.

Top-flight team St Joseph’s also face a struggling side this weekend when they travel to bottom club Kippax Welfare, with coach Keith Senior’s men looking to secure a second win from five starts.

Newsome Panthers are proving the dominant power in Division II, having won their opening six games to sit proudly at the top of table, and that will be significantly underlined if they win at second-placed Dearne Valley Bulldogs.

At the same time, Moldgreen will be hoping for as timely boost when they host Dodworth looking for a third victory of the campaign.

Another Huddersfield club are setting the pace in Division III in the shape of Lindley Swifts, who have also won six games out of six, and they should make it a magnificent seven when they travel to Dudley Hill A.

Underbank Rangers are handily placed in third place in Division IV and will do their promotion bid a power of good if they can beat second-placed Elland at home this weekend, while Division V side Meltham All Blacks will be looking to move into the leading pack with a home triumph over fellow mid-table team Whitehall Warriors.

In Division VI, leaders Newsome Panthers A should make it six wins from seven starts at home to Farnley Falcons, while St Joseph’s A entertain bottom club Cowling Harlequins and Slaithwaite Saracens A and Emley Moor A are at Wyke A and Brighouse A respectively.

And in Division VII, Underbank A are at South Bradford.