Struggling Morley face tough task at in form Saints

The Scatcherd Lane outfit, under the command of new captain Colin Nuttall, face a tall order at leaders Pudsey St Lawrence, who have reigned supreme in a largely pristine defence to their title which has seen them win eight of their opening nine ECB Bradford Premier Division encounters.

Morley head into the game on the back of a four-match losing sequence and a debilitating one at that which has seen them fall from the higher echelons of the table to third from bottom.

Three of those losses, to Hanging Heaton, Scholes and Farsley, have seen Morley produce poor showings with the bat and fail miserably to reach three figures, being skittled for 51, 66 and 68.

In marked contrast, Jimmy Smith’s St Lawrence are in resounding form and head into tomorrow’s game on the back of thumping wins against Cleckheaton and East Bierley, triumphing by 159 runs and 139 runs in big statements of intent.

St Lawrence turned on the style in an excellent success at Cleck last weekend, with top-order men Mark Robertshaw, Adam Waite, Barrie Frankland and Smith all in the runs at Moorend, while Richie Lamb claimed a five-for haul.

The net result is that last season’s champions are extremely well placed and hold a 27-point buffer at the summit ahead of Hanging Heaton, who as it stands look to be the only side who look capable of giving them a run for their money.

The Tewits, whose outstanding captain Gary Fellows hit a superb innings of 170 against Townville in the Priestley Cup on Sunday, visit Bradford and Bingley in the league tomorrow.

Elsewhere, the game of the day sees fourth entertain third with surprise packages Farsley welcoming Woodlands.

After a scrape with relegation last term, the Red Laners are making a better fist of things this time around and can leapfrog Woodlands with victory.

Tim Jackson’s Woodlands have had an up-and-down campaign thus far and head into the game on the back of a dramatic one-run success over New Farnley at Albert Terrace last weekend.

Elsewhere, New Farnley host Scholes and Lightcliffe entertain East Bierley.