JCT 600 Bradfored League preview May 10, 2008

A visit to Woodlands to face the reigning champions' much feared bowling attack is a daunting prospect, but early leaders Baildon will go there full of confidence on Saturday.

Baildon - boosted by three new signings - have won their first two matches against last season's Second Division champions Yeadon and Pudsey St Lawrence - while Woodlands are also unbeaten.

Ian Philliskirk

So, it is an upbeat Ian Philliskirk, who takes his side to face the ultimate test in the JCT 600 Bradford League against a team who are aiming for their fourth consecutive title.

The Baildon captain said: "It is always a difficult place to go, they have two very good opening bowlers and their back-up bowlers are very good as well and it is always going to be difficult to score runs against them, but we are playing well so hopefully we can play well again against Woodlands.

"Looking at the teams we have played so far - Pudsey St Lawrence were slightly under strength while Yeadon didn't have a bad team, but they will find it difficult in the First Division.

"We have got a good, all round, balanced team and I am pretty pleased. All-rounder Ahsan Butt from Manningham Mills has made a fantastic start to the season and Andrew Walker and Stuart Lemon are good players and there is a good attitude among all the team.

"Facing Woodlands' attack on their bowler friendly wicket is going to pose problems, but we go there with a bit of form behind us and we will give it our best shot. We just want to be as competitive as we can. Someone has got to beat them"

Woodlands went through last season unbeaten on their way to their third successive title and, ominously for the rest of the First Division, they have started with wins against last season's runners-up Pudsey Congs and Manningham Mills to show that their hunger for success is undiminished.

Elsewhere, Bradford & Bingley, another side, who have won their first two League matches and also beaten Undercliffe in the Priestley Cup first round, face their biggest test with an away match at Cleckheaton, who have won one and lost one.

East Bierley, the fourth team to win their first two matches - against St Lawrence and much fancied Hanging Heaton - will be full of confidence at Yeadon, who have lost both matches on their return to the First Division.

Much is expected of Pudsey Congs, who won five titles in a row between 2000 and 2004 before Woodlands began their run of title triumphs, but they have made a bad start to the new campaign by losing their first two matches both at home.

They suffered a narrow defeat against Woodlands on the opening day of the season followed by shock defeat against promoted shot Esholt. Now they must get their season on track with an away match against Bowling Old Lane, who recovered from their opening day defeat against Bingley with a 113-run win at Brighouse.

Brighouse, who narrowly escaped relegation last season, look set for a difficult campaign after losing their first two matches. On Saturday, they visit a jubilant Esholt side, which knocked them out of the cup on Monday and are now looking for a repeat result in the league.

In the other Division One match Saltaire take on Hanging Heaton at Roberts Park, looking to build on last Saturday's four-wicket win at Cleckheaton while the Batley district side will be hoping to bounce back from their 22-run home defeat against East Bierley.

The two relegated teams, Farsley and Idle have made great starts to their bids to return to the top flight at the first attempt, winning both their opening matches, Farsley visit Undercliffe - a team who also have promotion ambitions, but have lost their first two matches.

Idle are at home to Keighley who have had a mixed start to the season, beating Morley but losing to Gomersal. Gomersal, who just missed promotion last season, are looking like candidates to go up again, beating Windhill and Keighley in their opening two matches.

They certainly look to have plenty of runs in their side with last season's top runs scorer Richard Gould, former Yorkshire batsman Bradley Parker and new overseas player, the former Great Horton all-rounder Kashif Naveed. Gomersal are at home to Morley, who, like them, narrowly missed out on promotion last season.