Bradford League: Surprise package Morley lock horns with in-form Farsley

Surprise packages Morley, who have won their past two matches against New Farnley and Bradford and Bingley respectively to move up to second, welcome mid-table Farsley, who have claimed early-season wins over East Bierley and Pudsey Congs to provide a modicum of encouragement after their final-day Great Escape from relegation last term.

A number of players have stepped up to the plate for both sides so far this season, most notably Morley’s Kashif Naveed.

Morley have shown plenty of faith in the overseas man and it is being rewarded this season.

Naveed took 4-23 in last weekend’s three-wicket win over New Farnley, while many others were left hamstrung in a rain-affected programme.

The previous week, Naveed was in stellar form with the bat, hitting a magnificent 137 in his side’s 99-run success over Bradford and Bingley.

Other contributions have arrived this season from Morley’s cast, with the likes of captain Matt Baxter, Matt Dowse and Luke Heinemann also chipping in with contributions at various junctures this term.

The load has also been shared around at Red Lane, with several Farsley players, particularly those in the top order, having made some noteworthy contributions this term, such as the likes of James Pickles, Greg Pickles and captain Dan Hodgson.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Hanging Heaton, who have dropped to third after back-to-back defeats to Pudsey St Lawrence and Lightcliffe, will be seeking to get back on track when they host Pudsey Congs, who have endured a low-key start to the season to sit fourth-from-bottom.

Champions St Lawrence take their unbeaten league record to Lightcliffe, where they are eyeing their sixth win on the trot in a peerless 2016 so far in the top-flight.

James Smith’s side currently hold a 22-point buffer over Morley, although fifth-placed Lightcliffe have themselves been afforded a solid start to the league season.

In contrast, it has been a hugely disappointing start to the season for New Farnley, who will be aiming to stop the slide at Bradford and Bingley.

Something has to give when Scholes host East Bierley, with the bottom two yet to win in the league so far this term.