A mouthwatering clash is in prospect on Saturday following Methley's 30-12 act of retribution against Wakefield City.

The Royals will leapfrog the Marauders into second spot if they can post a third successive win – and, in that event, will host the south Leeds outfit in the play-offs.

Middleton, meanwhile, are bidding for the Championship and could snatch the title if they can overcome Methley – and if leaders Bentley Good Companions slip at Wakefield City.

Wakefield, despite their status in the lower reaches of the table, are capable of pushing Bentley all the way. City, who pulled off a shock 38-32 home win over the Royals last month, were on the ropes at Willowbridge when Methley's Mr Versatile - John Saville, at hooker in the absence of stag-weekending Reece Willshaw – crossed in the early stages, stand-off Tommy Skerrett racing over shortly afterwards and converting each score.

But, with the Royals struggling to retain possession in a game well-controlled by Dewsbury whistler David Asquith, Wakefield forced their way back into the frame with tries either side of the break for Shaun Smith and Andrew Shepherd.

Methley, however, avoided a second upset at the hands of City, thanks largely to Lee Starbuck who came off the bench in style after three
months out through illness.

Starbuck, who had helped create Skerrett's score, bagged a brace in the second period, when in-form second row Richard Scott netted a long range touchdown after an arcing raid.

Skerrett improved each effort to leave City, who had to settle for
Smith's second score in response, trailing.

The Royals, who lacked several regulars because of holiday and work commitments, were grateful to the likes of Chris Gibson and Luke Pickering who, together with youngster Dalton Marshall, stepped forward as substitutes.

A threequarter line of Robert Carriss-Wright, Matty Carriss-Wright, Sam Payne and James Baxter – who bravely beat off a back injury – was busy throughout, while scrum-half Dave Craven was incisive in his first outing in weeks.

Props Dean Tucker and Paul Farrar worked hard, while second row Carl Garman tackled effectively and loose forward Danny Bolton orchestrated the side to fine effect.

Methley were grateful to physiotherapist Ward Jefferson, who has been seconded to the club from Joseph Priestley College, Rothwell, and ensured that Baxter was fit to return to action. Head coach Tony Handforth, meanwhile, was present at his first home game for six months after suffering a stroke in November.