The clubs who met in a winner-takes-all final match of the season to decide the Secure Trust Bank Bradford League First Division championship six months ago are in contrasting form for their re-match at Wagon Lane tomorrow.

Pudsey Congs, who gained a four-point draw against Bradford and Bingley that day to win the title by two points, have won both their matches to lie in second place a point behind East Bierley.

In contrast, Bingley are without a win in their first three matches, are desperately in need of runs and without influential all-rounder Richard McCarthy, who is visiting his native Australia.

They were bowled out for a miserly 105 at Spen Victoria in the league last weekend and have not yet topped 160 in four league and cup matches.

However, in-form opener Andy Bethel, who scored two centuries last weekend - 114 not out in Congs' high-scoring win at home to Cleckheaton and 100 in their crushing Priestley Cup victory over Keighley - will not be underestimating Bingley.

"I think Bingley will make it as difficult as possible for us. If we go there with any complacency that would be wrong. I expect to have to fight for everything," he said.

"Their captain Pat Fordham has got them together to play as a team and they play in the right spirit, but they will miss McCarthy. He is a great cricketer.

"I am delighted with my own start to the season and happy with the team's start. We are stronger this year. Our new overseas player Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan, who was with Lidget Green last season, has obviously played at a high standard in Pakistan and we have a balanced bowling attack with a left-arm spinner in Glenn Roberts and James Middle-brook bowling off-spin."

Bingley's experienced pace bowler Peter Graham believes Congs will start as favourites.

He said: "They are obviously the form side and their batsmen are scoring runs, but it should be a good batting pitch so let's hope our batsmen get into some form. They are good enough to score runs and we bat a long way down the order."

Yorkshire all-rounder Mid-dlebrook returns for Congs, while Bingley welcome back county junior professional, batsman Alex Stead.

Leaders Bierley, who have played one match more than Congs, visit Pudsey St Lawrence in the best-looking match of a double First Division weekend.