Morley hope to maintain top form at lowly Farnley

Farnley, with plenty of talent at their disposal including the likes of James Middlebrook and Mark Lawson, were fancied to do well by many ‘in the know’ and tipped to make a move at the right end of the Bradford League table.

Expectations were not quite as high at Morley, but in the event, it is they who have made the sounder start as opposed to Farnley, who are again flattering to deceive in the league.

Matt Baxter’s Morley have made a solid opening to the season and currently reside in sixth place, just six points behind third-placed Cleckheaton after four games, which have featured two wins.

Overseas Kashif Naveed was in scintillating form with the bat last weekend as he hammered 137 runs from 115 balls that included 11 fours and nine sixes as they beat Priestley Cup holders Bradford & Bingley by 99 runs.

Matthew Dowse put in his best performance of the season to date, finishing with 4-31.

New Farnley, in contrast, have pocketed just one win so far in 2016, with only Scholes and East Bierley below them in the table.

Farnley perished at Moorend to Cleck last weekend, with only their winter signing from York, Simon Lambert, managing to look the part en route to 42 in a very modest card of 118.

Cleck wasted no time knocking off the runs and reached their target in 15.2 overs with skipper John Wood (48), Andy Gorrod (31) and Chris Holliday (30no) leading the way.

Elsewhere, Woodlands are in a good place ahead of their trip to near-neighbours East Bierley, who had endured a horror start to the season.

Woodlands put their recent sticky run behind them as they posted a score of 313-6 on their way to a 183-run win over their old foes, Pudsey Congs last weekend.

Major contributions for Woodlands came from ex-Congs spinner Kez Ahmed and Tim Jackson.

Another side like Farnley who have endured a tough start to the season are Pudsey Congs, with their youthful line-up very much looking a work in progress.

Congs face basement side Scholes tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Cleck make the trip to face Farsley.

The Red Laners recorded their second victory of the season at the expense of winless Bierley last weekend, triumphing by 12 runs.

Skipper Dan Hodgson (78) and Greg Pickles (70) shared a third-wicket alliance of 150 which enabled Farsley to make 280-8 in an encouraging performance with the bat, which augurs well.