East Bierley look to make it four Bradford League wins on the trot on Saturday when they visit Bradford & Bingley – but they will be without Division One leading run-scorer Gavin Hamilton.

The former Yorkshire player, who has scored 762 league runs from 14 innings, is featuring for Scotland against Durham in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.

Skipper Paul Hutchison admitted losing Hamilton was a blow but is looking to other players to step up in what promises to be an intriguing title clash.

He said: “It’s a big loss – never mind his runs, there is also his experience and knowledge of the game, which rubs off on the other players.

“We will be looking to the likes of Andrew Rennison, Greg Wood and Uzair Mahomed, who has not done that much recently but has been on Durham’s books for four years so is obviously a quality player.

“Gharib Razak has been back in the runs.”

Razak played his part in two unbeaten century opening partnerships with Hamilton as Bierley made a big statement of intent last weekend with ten-wicket victories over Undercliffe and leaders Pudsey St Lawrence.

That came on the back of victory over Pudsey Congs, with Hutchison revealing a heart-to-heart talk with the players, after defeat to Woodlands earlier in the month, had made the difference.

He said: “Having played very badly against Wood-lands, we had a chat about how we wanted the season to pan out and the boys have reacted positively.

“We didn’t want to play the rest of the season and not be in the shake-up.

“Since then there has been more desire and commitment, rather than messing around.”

Hutchison, who has taken 13 wickets in three matches, knows Bradford & Bingley – eight points and one place above them in third spot – will severely test their new-found resolve.

He said: “They are a good team with a lot of depth. They have no part-time bowlers, they have six or seven genuine ones.

“We will need to play sensible cricket and not get caught up in the hype if we are to be successful.”

With just 29 points separating the top six sides, Hutchison is relishing the exciting climax to the season.

He said: “It’s much better than when one team used to run away with it, though if I was playing for Woodlands and had won it five times, I’m not sure I’d be saying that!

“Everyone is more interested. The one disappointing thing is the uneven number of teams in Divison One, which leads to a free weekend.

“When Bingley had their free week, the rest of the programme was washed out, which was a big benefit to them.

“That’s obviously no fault of Bingley’s but it is a fault of the league.”

Elsewhere, leaders Pudsey St Lawrence host Baildon, while second-placed Woodlands entertain Yeadon.