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It's now or never for Congs' overseas man Naved
SKIPPER Matthew Doidge is facing up to Pudsey Congs being minus their overseas star for the whole of the current Bradford League season.
Holders Congs were dumped out of the Priestley Cup by Farsley last weekend and will look to get back on track with tomorrow's visit to second-bottom Manningham Mills in Division One.
Doidge remains hopeful his side will improve their current mid-table position but the captain fears his men will have to do it without last year's star bowler Mohammed Naved.
Naved is being help up in Pakistan by passport complications – the bowler having not yet played a game for Congs this term – and Doidge revealed this weekend is D-Day as regards his 2009 future in the Bradford League.
"We could do with our overseas player being here and he has not been here since the start of the season," said Doidge.
"We have to have him by this weekend as he has to have played by the halfway stage of the season (to play the rest of it) so if he is not here this weekend then that's it.
"Apparently his passport is all there and waiting to be stamped for his visa but it has to happen by this weekend. If not, it's all over.
"Obviously, it has gone on this long so it is not looking good.
"It's difficult because then you are going to struggle to go and sign another opening bowler."
Elsewhere tomorrow, leaders Bradford and Bingley will look to confirm their status as this year's top dogs when they entertain defending champions Woodlands.
Third-placed Baildon host Hanging Heaton, while fourth-placed Pudsey St Lawrence entertain Cleckheaton.
Completing the top-flight fixtures, Gomersal host Saltaire and Yeadon entertain Farsley.
Doidge hopes his Congs outfit can see off relegation-threatened Manningham but he is warning tomorrow's opponents are better than the league table suggests.
"They have had a bit of a recovery of late and they have picked themselves up," he said.
"They are doing all right and they have beat a couple of teams including Baildon."
Meanwhile, Beckwithshaw captain Ben Quick is expecting a battle with Burley tomorrow in Division One of the Airedale & Wharfedale Cricket League.
Both sides are chasing end-of- season honours but defeat could spell the end of their hopes.
Quick says the sides are evenly matched but admits Burley will have tails up after their easy victory over Calverley.
"Games against Burley are always tough," he said.
"They are similar to us and they seem to be playing well and playing with confidence.
"We always have good battles with Burley, they are always close matches and we are anticipating another this weekend."
North Leeds face a tough battle with Green Lane tomorrow.
Leaders Rawdon hope to continue their reign at the top and will be favourites at home to strugglers Silsden.
Reigning champions Kirkstall Educational travel to Adel, while relegation-battlers Collingham entertain Guiseley and bottom side Calverley host Otley.
Quick will be analysing the results on Sunday morning and admits certain sides could be ruled out of the race.
"We are now at the halfway stage and it's a good time to assess positions and see who will come out on top at the end of the season," he added.
"Green Lane are playing North Leeds tomorrow and that is a key game."
In Division Two, leaders Thackley are at Harden and second-placed Illingworth welcome Bardsey. Third-placed Baildon host Hanging Heaton, while fourth-placed Pudsey St Lawrence entertain Cleckheaton.
Completing the top-flight fixtures, Gomersal host Saltaire and Yeadon entertain Farsley.
Doidge hopes his Congs outfit can see off relegation-threatened Manningham but he is warning tomorrow’s opponents are better than the league table suggests.
“They have had a bit of a recovery of late and they have picked themselves up,” he said.
“They are doing all right and they have beat a couple of teams including Baildon.”
Meanwhile, Beckwithshaw captain Ben Quick is expecting a battle with Burley tomorrow in Division One of the Airedale & Wharfedale Cricket League.
Evenly
Both sides are chasing end-of- season honours but defeat could spell the end of their hopes.
Quick says the sides are evenly matched but admits Burley will have tails up after their easy victory over Calverley.
“Games against Burley are always tough,” he said.
“They are similar to us and they seem to be playing well and playing with confidence.
“We always have good battles with Burley, they are always close matches and we are anticipating another this weekend.”
North Leeds face a tough battle with Green Lane tomorrow.
Leaders Rawdon hope to continue their reign at the top and will be favourites at home to strugglers Silsden.
Reigning champions Kirkstall Educational travel to Adel, while relegation-battlers Collingham entertain Guiseley and bottom side Calverley host Otley.
Quick will be analysing the results on Sunday morning and admits certain sides could be ruled out of the race.
“We are now at the halfway stage and it’s a good time to assess positions and see who will come out on top at the end of the season,” he added.
“Green Lane are playing North Leeds tomorrow and that is a key game.”
In Division Two, leaders Thackley are at Harden and second-placed Illingworth welcome Bardsey.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
