Spen Victoria's chances of beating Specialist Ducting Supplies Bradford League leaders Pudsey Congs at Spen Lane tomorrow have been reduced by the absence of their opening bowlers.

Ian Wood, skipper of fifth-placed Spen, said: "My brother John is playing in a Twenty20 match for Lancashire, and Chris Elstub is in action for Bradford-Leeds UCCE."

John Wood took seven for 34 last Saturday in Spen's 105-run victory over Pudsey St Lawrence, and Ian said: "This is the only weekend this season where we are missing both, and you don't want to face Congs without your full-strength side.

"They are still the team that other clubs measure themselves up to in the Bradford League.

"But we have quite a few options up our sleeves. Rao Anjum has opened the bowling before, and we also have Kez Ahmed, Gareth Davis, James Baker and Richard Atkinson."

Wood added: "We are a young side - we have eight 20-year-olds - and team spirit has been good. We have just developed that winning feeling."

Congs captain Matthew Doidge, taking nothing for granted, said: "We just have to go out there and do a thorough job.

"But hopefully we can capitalise on their lack of two front-line bowlers. John must have bowled well last Saturday."

Undercliffe, who haven't won the First Division since 1997, did their chances little good last Saturday when they only gained a one-point draw at home to struggling Idle. Martin Kellaway's men will be looking to bounce straight back by defeating Mirfield, again at Intake Road.

Idle, who have put a bit of distance between themselves and bottom two Yeadon and Gomersal, have another tough match at home to third-placed Cleckheaton.

"I don't know a great deal about Cleckheaton," admitted Idle skipper Mark Nicklin, "but I am sure they have got where they are on merit and by working hard.

"Their three main men appear to be Ian Austin, Faisal Irfan and Andrew Gale, who opens the batting."

Fourth-placed Woodlands are at Farsley, and Baildon entertain Hanging Heaton in a mid-table battle.

The other two top-flight fixtures are more concerned with relegation than the title, next-to-bottom Yeadon hosting East Bierley and basement club Gomersal travelling to Pudsey St Lawrence.

The profile of Division Two has been heightened by the fact that three of their number - Bradford and Bingley, Brighouse and Bankfoot - have reached Sunday's Priestley Cup quarter-finals.

Top matches tomorrow are Lightcliffe (fifth) at home to Bankfoot (sixth), and Keighley (second) travelling to Manningham Mills (seventh). Leaders Saltaire entertain Morley.