Glenn Roberts will lead Pudsey Congs into their crucial JCT600 Bradford League Division One relegation encounter at Undercliffe on Saturday after Andrew Bairstow confirmed he has stepped down from the captaincy.

Congs – title winners six times in the last 12 years – are struggling in third-from-bottom place but Bairstow insisted the club’s position in the table was not behind his decision.

He said: “I have stepped down due to work commitments.

“I have found it tough to juggle work with the captaincy, which takes up a lot of time and effort, not just on Saturday but also through the week.”

The 37-year-old, who works as a brand manager in the sports trade, added: “I want to stress that I am not giving up as skipper because we are near the bottom of the league.

“I have played for 25 years in the Bradford League and work has to start taking precedence.”

Bairstow will continue to play under Roberts – who led Congs to their last league title in 2010 – and said: “I will be able to concentrate on my batting without worrying about other things.

“It is a positve for the club that they can call on someone like Glenn. The younger lads look up to him.”

With seven games to go, the Britannia Ground side are six points clear of Farsley , who occupy the second relegation spot and who Congs visit on September 8, and 11 ahead of Saturday's opponents Undercliffe.

“Playing the teams around us means we are masters of our destiny,” added Bairstow, whose side also have neighbours Pudsey St Lawrence and runaway leaders Woodlands to face.

The brother of Yorkshire and England player Jonny believes the club has what it takes to steer clear of trouble but they will have to do it without their overseas player Muhammad Naved.

The paceman has returned home after breaking his thumb attempting a catch off his own bowling in a Twenty20 match.

Elsewhere, Farsley have a tough task at home to third-placed East Bierley , while fourth-bottom Saltaire have an equally difficult challenge at second-placed Cleckheaton .

Lightcliffe , enjoying a fantastic season back in the top flight, face the ultimate test at Woodlands, while Manningham Mills entertain Hanging Heaton and Pudsey St Lawrence host Bradford & Bingley .

There is no question what the match of the day is in Division Two as second-placed Baildon take on leaders Yeadon at Jenny Lane.