Cup kings East Bierley are determined to make a strong league challenge this season.

Bierley have won the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup three times in a row, but they haven't won the Secure Trust Bank Bradford League Division One title since 1996.

However, they have established themselves as the nearest challengers to leaders Pudsey Congs following their six-wicket home win over Brighouse last Saturday.

They are second, five points behind Congs, with third-placed Farsley a further two points adrift after winning their last three matches, including last week's five-wicket victory at local rivals Pudsey St Lawrence.

Bierley captain Dermot McGrath, who has missed a couple of matches because of work, said: "Pudsey Congs are strong favourites to retain the championship, but I have been pleased with our start to the season and hope we can keep it going.

"We have beaten Baildon, Gomersal and Brighouse, and taken four points at Pudsey St Lawrence. I hope we can make a good impression in the league. We don't want to be known only as cup kings.

"Everyone seems to be performing well in our side. For instance, Andrew Bairstow has made a really good start with the bat, Paul Hemming has been bowling well, Paul Carroll scored 82 not out against Brighouse, Robert Burton is starring with both bat and ball, and Jaffer Nazir is his normal self.

"We are a reasonably young side. There is a lot of talent there. It is a matter of showing it. It is a big weekend with two matches in three days."

Bierley have three Yorkshire players in their squad, having signed all-rounder Gavin Hamilton and batsman Michael Lumb to join batsman Anthony McGrath, but Dermot is checking which players will be available for this weekend's matches.

He said: "Gavin Hamilton should be able to play for us, but I don't think we will have Michael. I heard from my brother Anthony what a good player Michael is. He played 17 or 18 matches for Ossett last season so we thought we would have him for as many. You always take a gamble with county players, but when Gavin came along at the last minute it was a bonus."

Farsley, now led by former Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire batsman Ashley Metcalfe, have a youthful side with Yorkshire young professional and opening bat Chris Taylor and teenage bowler Neil Robinson in good form, along with Australian Andrew Downs.

Congs, denied their fourth win in a row by Baildon's tail-enders at Jenny Lane last Saturday, face a tricky home match against Hanging Heaton.

Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Undercliffe's Pakistan Test bowler Mohammed Akram, who took all ten wickets in their 111-run home win over Cleckheaton. Tomorrow he faces Bradford and Bingley at Wagon Lane, which has the reputation of being a good batting pitch.

Bingley, who had a confidence-building ten-wicket win at Spen Victoria in a Priestley Cup replay, will be without pace bowler Peter Graham for their Bank Holiday matches. Baildon will also be without a pace bowler - Carl Smith - when they visit Cleckheaton.

There is a crucial Spen Valley derby at the lower end of the table when Spen Victoria are at home to Gomersal.