Abbas and Smith to give Baildon a boost

Congs have won all their four matches to serve notice on their challengers that they mean to hang on to the championship they won for the first time last season. And, having stiffened an already strong team, they are favourites to lift the title again.

Baildon, who have established themselves as one of the leading teams in the league following their promotion to the First Division five years ago, are well placed to challenge Congs for the championship, however, under new skipper James Goldthorp.

Goldthorp, who joined them at the end of last season from the defunct Yorkshire Bank, knows that the game cannot decide the title so early in the campaign, but it is an important match.

"It is also a chance to claim back some points when everyone was rained off three weeks ago and they had a blank date," said Goldthorp.

"Congs are a strong side and are setting the standards, but we also have a strong side and have started to play some good cricket, but it is all down to how quickly our new players settle in."

Baildon looked to be title favourites at the halfway mark last season, but flopped badly in the second half to finish fourth.

Skipper Mick Emmerson, who had led them from the Second Division in his five years in charge, left at the end of last season.

Among their signings were new opening bowlers, the experienced Carl Smith, who moved from Bank with Goldthorp, and overseas player Azhar Abbas from Congs.

They have injected some extra pace to Baildon's attack, and Goldthorp said: "What we have got now is the opportunity to take early wickets, which is vital in Bradford League cricket. In fact, taking wickets is the best way to restrict runs."

Goldthorp is keen to help Baildon fulfil their ambitions. He said: "It was sad that Bank went out of business, but coming to Baildon is the chance for me to compete to win things, which is what I was used to at my old club Pudsey St Lawrence."

Baildon are without new signing, middle-order batsman Neil Spragg, who is working, but Congs are also without their influential all-rounder James Middlebrook, who is playing with Yorkshire. Rob McFarlane, who has returned from a winter playing in Australia, will take Middlebrook's place.

Much will depend on how well the Baildon batsmen cope with Congs' opening attack of left-arm bowler Neil Gill and new overseas signing Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan, who bowled out Bradford and Bingley at Wagon Lane last week for a mere 56.

East Bierley, who are equal second with Baildon but have a game in hand, include Yorkshire all-rounder Gavin Hamilton in their side at home to bottom club Brighouse, led by former Bierley captain David Jay.

Pudsey St Lawrence, who meet local rivals Farsley at Tofts Road, welcome back opening bowler Adrian Rooke from injury, and also include pace bowler Cameron Bailey, who is based in London. However, another pace bowler Gary Severn is out of action with a side muscle strain.

Top match in the Bowes section of the Second Division is leaders Bankfoot against third-placed Idle. The other joint leaders - new boys Woodlands - visit Great Horton.

In the Verity section, leaders Mirfield, who, like Woodlands, joined the Bradford League during the winter from the Central Yorkshire League, visit third-placed Lightcliffe. Second-placed Manningham Mills are at home to Esholt. Joint second-placed Baildon have the chance to cut back Pudsey Congs' seven-point lead at the top when the teams meet at Jenny Lane in the Bradford League's First Division match of the day tomorrow.

Congs have won all their four matches to serve notice on their challengers that they mean to hang on to the championship they won for the first time last season. And, having stiffened an already strong team, they are favourites to lift the title again.

Baildon, who have established themselves as one of the leading teams in the league following their promotion to the First Division five years ago, are well placed to challenge Congs for the championship, however, under new skipper James Goldthorp.

Goldthorp, who joined them at the end of last season from the defunct Yorkshire Bank, knows that the game cannot decide the title so early in the campaign, but it is an important match.

"It is also a chance to claim back some points when everyone was rained off three weeks ago and they had a blank date," said Goldthorp.

"Congs are a strong side and are setting the standards, but we also have a strong side and have started to play some good cricket, but it is all down to how quickly our new players settle in."

Baildon looked to be title favourites at the halfway mark last season, but flopped badly in the second half to finish fourth.

Skipper Mick Emmerson, who had led them from the Second Division in his five years in charge, left at the end of last season.

Among their signings were new opening bowlers, the experienced Carl Smith, who moved from Bank with Goldthorp, and overseas player Azhar Abbas from Congs.

They have injected some extra pace to Baildon's attack, and Goldthorp said: "What we have got now is the opportunity to take early wickets, which is vital in Bradford League cricket. In fact, taking wickets is the best way to restrict runs."

Goldthorp is keen to help Baildon fulfil their ambitions. He said: "It was sad that Bank went out of business, but coming to Baildon is the chance for me to compete to win things, which is what I was used to at my old club Pudsey St Lawrence."

Baildon are without new signing, middle-order batsman Neil Spragg, who is working, but Congs are also without their influential all-rounder James Middlebrook, who is playing with Yorkshire. Rob McFarlane, who has returned from a winter playing in Australia, will take Middlebrook's place.

Much will depend on how well the Baildon batsmen cope with Congs' opening attack of left-arm bowler Neil Gill and new overseas signing Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan, who bowled out Bradford and Bingley at Wagon Lane last week for a mere 56.

East Bierley, who are equal second with Baildon but have a game in hand, include Yorkshire all-rounder Gavin Hamilton in their side at home to bottom club Brighouse, led by former Bierley captain David Jay.

Pudsey St Lawrence, who meet local rivals Farsley at Tofts Road, welcome back opening bowler Adrian Rooke from injury, and also include pace bowler Cameron Bailey, who is based in London. However, another pace bowler Gary Severn is out of action with a side muscle strain.

Top match in the Bowes section of the Second Division is leaders Bankfoot against third-placed Idle. The other joint leaders - new boys Woodlands - visit Great Horton.

In the Verity section, leaders Mirfield, who, like Woodlands, joined the Bradford League during the winter from the Central Yorkshire League, visit third-placed Lightcliffe. Second-placed Manningham Mills are at home to Esholt.