Bradford League new boys Gomersal embark of the second leg of a notable treble when they play Pudsey Congs in the Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield final at Spen Victoria tomorrow (1pm).

Gomersal retained the Crowther Cup by beating fellow Bradford League side Baildon by ten wickets in the final at Scholes last Sunday and they are favourites to lift the second teams' Second Division championship. They are currently nine points ahead of second-placed Idle.

But skipper Andy Fearnsides knows that Congs, who are top of the First Division, will provide their toughest test of the season in the Priestley Shield which is competed for by second teams.

Gomersal are boosted by the knowledge, though, that they have beaten four Division One sides - Baildon, Brig-house, Farsley and Cleckheaton - on their way to the final.

In fact, they are something of a bogey side to Baildon, having beaten them convincingly in the Priestley Shield and Crowther Cup.

Fearnsides, who is in his second season as captain after playing for the first team for three seasons, said: "I know we have beaten Baildon twice, but I think Congs will be a different proposition.

"Fortunately we have a full strength side available. Our opening batsman Steve Pollard and our opening bowler Chris Rhodes were mssing for the Crowther Cup final because they had to play for the first team who were short because of holidays and injuries.

"We have got experience in every department. Steve Pollard, who we have shared with the first team, is averaging more than 70 while Graham Hilton who is only just turned 18 is averaging 50.

"Then we have Martin Quarmby as a right arm fast bowler and a left arm paceman in Chris Rhodes.

"The ten-over limit in the Priestley Shield will help us."

Like Gomersal, Congs are also aiming for a league and Shield double. Congs have lost only two league matches all season, to the two clubs immediately below them in the table - Hanging Heaton and Baildon.

Skipper and opening batsman Phillip Allinson said: "We are keen to win the shield. We obviously respect Gomersal - they are unbeaten in the Second Division and we were impressed by the way they beat Baildon so convincingly in the Crowther Cup final because Baildon beat us in the league only a fortnight ago."

Congs have a well balanced side with youth and experience. Allinson forms a strong opening partnership with Shane Blanchard who scored 192 when they beat Windhill in the third round.

Two of their main bowlers are Kevin Tighe, who took his 1,000th Bradford League wicket earlier in the season, and 17-year-old Paul Valkovics who is the Bradford League Joe Lumb captain. Their attack also includes Graham Curtis, Ian Schmid and Keith Dempster.

Congs had a bye in the first round before beating Esholt, Windhill and Hanging Heaton.