BIRSTALL and Methley have been admitted to the JCT600 Bradford League for the 2016 season.

Executive chairman of the league David Young explained that the quality of cricket was what had attracted the Central Yorkshire League clubs.

He said: "The last thing we want to do is adversely affect their league.

"Maybe our First Division becoming a Premier League from the start of 2016 has helped us, but the two clubs could have qualified for the Bradford League via the Central Yorkshire League anyway this season, and they want to join us for the standard of cricket.

"Both clubs have also agreed to join with their second teams. This will all mean that some restructuring will have to be done and we will be speaking to all the clubs about that in due course.

"But what we can guarantee is that the top two clubs in Division Two will be promoted at the end of this season and that we won't be losing any clubs to accommodate them.

"I believe that this further strengthens the JCT600 Bradford League, consolidating our position as one of the best leagues in the country.

"Methley have great facilities and will add to Division Two with their new changing rooms and electronic scoreboard, and the same applies to Birstall."

The only potential stumbling block is the distance from some of the current Bradford League grounds to Methley, which is south east of Leeds.

However, Young said: "It only took us 18 minutes from Cleckheaton's ground (16 miles on AA Route Planner), although admittedly that was on a Sunday afternoon, and it is only 28 miles from Keighley's ground.

"We feel that clubs won't mind travelling a bit extra if they are going to get a good game at great facilities. One of the reasons that Birstall wanted to join us was (like 2015 new boys Scholes) the number of derby matches they will be playing."

Leading match in the top flight on Saturday is the meeting between Hanging Heaton and Woodlands, who are fourth and fifth, and have the same number of points as third-placed East Bierley.

Leaders Pudsey St Lawrence are at Saltaire, while second-placed Bradford & Bingley visit Pudsey Congs, who are sixth.

Scholes are the only team to have won three matches out of three, but can expect a tough derby at third-placed Spen Victoria in Division Two, while second-placed Morley host fifth-placed Brighouse in what is, at the moment, a south Bradford-dominated division.