Skipper Matthew Doidge is hoping Yorkshire's match against Hampshire finishes early so all-rounder James Middlebrook can play in Pudsey Congs' Bradford League Division One title showdown against Bradford and Bingley tomorrow.

Although he has not always been available, Middlebrook has invariably played a vital role in Congs' championship challenge and it would be a tremendous lift for Doidge's team if he could play in the title decider at the Britannia Ground.

Doidge said: "James is important to us. I rate him very highly and I hope if the Hampshire match finishes early he will be able to play for us."

Congs go into the final match two points in front of Bingley, and Doidge said: "I have never played in a match of this importance in the league."

Doidge joined Congs as captain from Farsley two years ago with the intention of building a title-challenging side. The signings of Andy Bethel and Gary Brook from Spen Victoria, Neil Gill from Windhill, Barbar Butt from Doncaster Town and overseas player Azhar Abbas confirmed their ambition.

They have been at or near the top all season, but Doidge admits that Congs will only look upon this as a good campaign if they win the title. In contrast, Bingley's position as last-day contenders will surprise some people in the league.

Bingley's ability to defend totals, some of them comparatively modest, impresses Doidge. He said: "They have had only one score knocked off against them and that was at Brighouse. They seem to get moderate totals and defend them. They have a good bowling attack and Richard McCarthy has had a great second half of the season."

Bingley skipper Pat Fordham said: "It is all set up nicely in that whoever gets four points or six wins the league. If only one point were needed you could have ended up with a fairly negative game.

"It is going to be a pressure match and it depends how people cope. Pudsey Congs have devoted a lot of resources to put together a team to win the championship and they will be disappointed if they don't win it. They are a strong side and James Middlebrook makes an enormous difference to them.

"I don't think anyone ex-pected us to be in this position, but we have bowled and fielded well all season. We have done just enough with the bat, but it hasn't been a good summer for batsmen because of the weather and the state of a lot of the wickets.

"A big difference for us in the second half has been the magnificent form of Richard McCarthy. He has bowled tremendously and has played some super knocks."

Tomorrow will be a sad day for Lidget Green and York-shire Bank who play their last matches in the league. Both are at home, Lidget to Farsley and Bank to Cleckheaton.