Baildon face Pudsey Congs tomorrow in what promises be an intriguing first versus third clash in the SDS Bradford League Division One.

Baildon, currently third in the league after eight games, face a top-placed Pudsey side considered by many to have one of the best pace attacks in the league, headed by Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan and Neil Gill, in addition to the batting power of

skipper Matthew Doidge and Andrew Bethel.

Rana-ul-Hassan has again been in fine form for Congs this season, following last season's treble success, which saw the Pakistani all-rounder produce some devastating cricket as his side went onto claim the league title, Priestley Cup and Yorkshire Champions' cup.

Hassan's all-round ability with bat and ball has been marked out by Baildon skipper Simon Davies as his side's biggest threat.

"Pudsey Congs won the treble last season and we know how just tough it will be. It is one of the biggest games of the season and Rana will be a major threat," he said.

"He will be difficult to cope with but we just need to stay focused, treat it as a normal match and play our own game.

"We will be tactically organised with regards to totals and we want to see the new ball off - as it will be important to take the shine off the ball,

"Players such as Rana have shown their quality over the years but we have plenty of ability ourselves.

"Matthew Duce has been in outstanding form for us in recent weeks and has had three or four fifties, and on the bowling front, there has been a real team effort whereby everybody had made a great contribution."

Having drawn last week against Woodlands, Davies is keen for his side to get back to winning ways - starting tomorrow against the Congs.

"We started off quite well and just need to maintain a level of consistency. It will be very difficult because there are so many good teams in this league but we are certainly capable of winning it - consistency is the key," claimed the Baildon opener.

Davies, 25, is enjoying his seventh season with Baildon and believes that the league is not getting any easier.

"The standard is improving year on year and I think the Bradford League is the best amateur league in the north of England, if not the country," he said.

"During my first season, in 1996, we won the Second Division title and the Priestley Cup. Playing in the First Division since then had made me realise how good the league actually is.

"I am delighted with the way we have settled into the games so quickly this

season.

"I always knew we had a good team but its nice to see how well the players have responded and we must aim to maintain the standards that we have set for ourselves now - starting tomorrow against Pudsey," added Davies.

Congs face Dunnington (York) on Sunday in the first round of the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Cup at Britannia Ground, 1.30pm. Dunnington boast ex-West Indian players Alvin Kallicharran and Collis King among their ranks.

l Will clubs please note that scoresheets for tomorrow's league games and Sunday's Priestley Cup matches should be faxed to 01274-723634 instead of the usual number.