The very much in-form golfer Neil Harker-Bell is in St Morritz, unofficially representing England in the International Mid Amateur Team Championship.

The Bradford Union team skipper misses tomorrow evening's big Division One Scratch League clash against West Bradford, understandably opting for some Swiss mountain air instead.

Speaking from his temporary Swiss base, he said: "Fortunately the course here is flat

"We won this event last year so naturally we wanted to defend our title. We are a six-man team up against the Swiss, Austrians, Swedes and Italians among others.

"The tournament is over three days and five of our six scores will count."

The "England" team is strictly unofficial. The golfing powers did not wish to enter a team for the championship last year but contacts through players on the Mid-Amateur Tour led to the unofficial entry which was a team of six Yorkshire players, including Harker-Bell and players from the likes of Leeds and Moortown.

Last year "England" won the event with Switzerland second, Sweden, third and Italy fourth. They were invited to defend their title this year.

Harker-Bell has been in fine form recently having performed well for Bradford against Teesside in his Yorkshire Inter-Union league games and for Bradford Moor last week when he helped his side to a welcome four points at Bingley St Ives.

Moor need all the points they can get. They are third from bottom in a division which has created a lot of excitement this season.

Baildon, who are joint leaders with West Bradford, travel to bottom club Keighley tomorrow evening. Keighley's confidence took a nosedive after being trounced 8-0 at Cleckheaton last week.

Cleckheaton, themselves in with a great chance of winning the Scratch title, travel to Northcliffe who are only four points off the summit and needing to put out their strongest team.

Cleckheaton's David Woodcock, who thrashed Andy Utley 5&4 last week, thinks Baildon are favourites, closely followed by Northcliffe. But he knows Cleckheaton are also in with a big shout.

"We musn't get stuffed at Northcliffe tomorrow. If we can get some points and Keighley don't roll over against Baildon, then the division is wide open.

"I think West Bradford have the best side on paper but they appear to have blown it."

After tomorrow, Cleckheaton are at home to Bradford Moor and then away to Bingley St Ives.