Cricket: Skipper Dermot McGrath is looking for East Bierley to keep the winning habit to maintain their Bradford League First Division challenge.

Although Bierley have lost two matches - against Bradford & Bingley and Pudsey St Lawrence - they have won six of the other seven to keep them in second place.

Bierley are one point behind leaders Baildon and it is their ability to secure victories that could prove invaluable in what looks like being a close championship race.

McGrath knows his side cannot afford to slip up in a testing four-match period in which they face three of the top five sides - Farsley at home tomorrow, and then Baildon and Pudsey Congs in the following weeks.

Farsley are in the middle of a similarly testing programme with matches against Baildon, Pudsey Congs and Bierley followed by Bradford & Bingley a week tomorrrow.

The Bierley-Farsley clash is the most attractive looking match in tomorrow's First Division programme and, McGrath, who is in his first year as captain said: "I thought at the start of the season that Farsley would the dark horses.

"They have got a good all-round side, led by Matthew Doidge, opener Richard Gould is a good opening batsman, Joss Overend and Tony Gilks are effective opening bowlers.

"Although I haven't seen him play, I have had good reports about their Australian batsman, Dammian Shanahan."

McGrath knows Bierley will need to be at their best to beat Farsley, the only unbeaten team in Division One. He also believes the title race could go to the end and said: "The teams that are up there now will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

In the meantime Bierley, who are only a point behind leaders Baildon with Farsley, Bingley and Pudsey Congs locked on 33 points, three points further behind, are enjoying a better season this time than last.

McGrath said: "We didn't play particularly well in the league last season although we did reach the Priestley Cup final, but we are stronger now.

"New signings, Robert Burton and Nick de Groot have settled in well and Ian Fisher is a big bonus. A good spinner gives you balance. We didn't really have a spinner last season because Graham Austin missed most of the campaign through injury.

"Ian missed several matches early on, but has turned in some match winning performances."

Baildon visit fourth from the bottom Bowling Old Lane and there will be tension at Windhill where the third from the bottom home side play bottom club Saltaire.

Evening League

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