With a lead of almost 50 points in the JCT600 Bradford League First Division, who can blame Woodlands for feeling that the title race is over with eight matches to go?

Their league representative Phil Godfrey has even taken to quoting Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous words as the 1966 World Cup soccer final drew to a close: "Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over - it is now".

What really turned Woodlands into believers about a third successive Bradford League crown was when news came through last Sunday night that East Bierley - their nearest challengers - had lost by eight wickets to Pudsey St Lawrence.

"It is our title to lose now," added Godfrey, "but we have felt that anyway for the past four to five weeks."

So are Woodlands a better team this year than the boys of 2006?

What Godfrey would say on that question is: "Over the last four to five years we have built up and built up and we have a better team spirit this year than last year and we had a better team spirit then than in 2005.

"Also we have no weak links. We haven't got a No 8 who can't bat or a No 8 who can't bowl like some sides have - like most sides have.

"I know that Chris Brice has taken a lot of the headlines, but if Sam Frankland or Nicky Rushworth don't get runs then someone else will. Or if Safraz Ahmed doesn't take wickets, then Richard Spittlehouse will.

"And let's not forget someone like Tosh Baker, who has scored runs, taken wickets and held catches."

Godfrey added: "People talk about us having a relatively weak batting line up but we already have more batting bonus points at this stage of the season than we had in the whole of last season.

"Of course, we haven't always had to chase big totals but we have scored 280s and 250s."

Cleckheaton, who are in line to equal their fifth-place finish of 2005, have the short straw on Saturday in that they entertain the prospective champions.

Bierley are at inconsistent Brighouse, and third-placed Pudsey Congs entertain fourth-placed Baildon, who cannot play England paceman Matthew Hoggard as he hasn't played a league match before June 30.

As usual, there are matches that will have an important bearing on who goes down.

Second-from-bottom Bowling Old Lane entertain fourth-from-bottom Bradford & Bingley, who are only ten points better off, and bottom club Idle play host to a reviving Hanging Heaton, who are now 17 points above a relegation berth having been bottom themselves on June 30.

Third-from-bottom Farsley, who are only five points above the drop, have yet another derby - this time at Pudsey St Lawrence - but are without skipper Ashley Metcalfe.

About the only match that has no bearing on the top or the bottom is the clash at Roberts Park between Saltaire and Manningham Mills.