Cricket: After finishing runners-up in the Bradford League First Division for the past two seasons, Baildon are determined to go one better this time, but skipper Mick Emmerson knows it will be far from easy.

Baildon's ambitions were not helped when they lost to Yeadon by four wickets off the next-to-last ball on the opening day, and after last Saturday's programme was ruined by the weather, they face a tough home match against Priestley Cup holders East Bierley tomorrow, weather permitting.

After more rain this week, all clubs need luck with the weather if the league programme is not to be disrupted for the second week in a row.

Bierley have yet to start their campaign. Their opening match at Lidget Green was called off without a ball being bowled, and their home match against Brighouse last Saturday suffered a similar fate.

The only cricket they have played has been a Heavy Woollen Cup first round tie, which they lost to Spen Victoria.

Emmerson, who has enjoyed a successful spell as Baildon captain, helping establish them as one of the leading club's in the league, said: "We need a break from the weather after this week's rain.

"It is very frustrating - East Bierley at home is one of the games you look forward to.

"We didn't play well against Yeadon. We had two bowlers missing and two of the three we had did not bowl well, although Yeadon did play well.

"We will be at full strength tomorrow. Our off-spinner John Marshall missed the first two matches, but has recovered from the knee problem that troubled him last season."

Baildon, who finished three points behind champions Hanging Heaton last season, have signed spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 86 wickets as he helped Lidget Green gain promotion from the Second Division, and Pudsey Congs' wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Duce has also joined them.

Emmerson said: "Mushtaq has fitted in really well, while Matthew got us out of trouble with 80 in the Yeadon match.

"We have also signed Steve Leatherdale from Farsley. He now lives in Baildon and will bring experience to our batting, but all in all we will have to play better than we did against Yeadon.

"Last season our record against the better teams was very good - we beat Hanging Heaton three times - but we have got to make sure we are consistent against teams in the bottom half.

"Pudsey Congs have signed six new players and look very strong, but it isn't always easy to fit new players into a side.

"Hanging Heaton will be strong again, while East Bierley will also be in contention. They have a good overseas player in Jaffer Nazir."

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