Pudsey Congs may be third in the JCT600 Bradford League Division One table but that doesn't mean they are liking not being nearer the top.

Congs, who finished second to Woodlands in 2005 and 2006 but were champions for the five seasons prior to that, are still coming to terms with the wholesale changes they made over the winter.

Gone are opening bat Andy Bethel, the classy Bradley Parker, wicketkeeper Gary Brook and left-arm opening bowler Neil Gill, and they have also had a change at the helm, Baba Butt replacing Matthew Doidge.

However, although newcomer Tom Glover has taken 23 wickets, one of the old guard has also caught the eye.

Doidge, who bowled himself sparingly in the past, has claimed 14 wickets under Butt, the left-arm spinner taking four for 52 against East Bierley and five for 25 against Bradford & Bingley.

Maybe a year or two or two back, Doidge simply didn't need to bowl himself but now with runs per over becoming more of an issue, the former skipper is averaging a steady 3.8 runs per over in addition to his wicket-taking capacity.

Team-mate Andy Bairstow said of Doidge: "He is bowling very well and he offers something different.

"Maybe batsman think they can get after him but they then find out that he is better than they think."

As for being third, left-handed batsman Bairstow says: "We are not happy with where we are in the table but Woodlands are a very good side and play some good cricket - much like us three or four years ago.

"Maybe we have had some decisions go against us but we have lost a couple of games that we shouldn't have. However, it has been a steep learning curve for some of the lads in the side."

On Saturday, Congs are at home to bottom club Hanging Heaton, whose position surprises Bairstow.

Woodlands, who are more vulnerable at home than away, host Saltaire, while second-placed East Bierley, who are 25 points behind, complete their first half of the season at Bowling Old Lane.

Idle are at home to Pudsey St Lawrence, whose injured skipper Andrew Doidge reckons they can still finish fourth or fifth despite a lack of depth in batting.