Rugby Union: Howard Greenwood hopes to make the leap from "the most hated man at Wagon Lane" to one of the most popular players at Bradford and Bingley this season.

The 33-year-old moved from neighbours West Park Bramhope during the close season to boost the Bees' hopes of making an impact in Thwaites North Division One this term.

Formerly with Sale, Greenwood, player-coach at The Sycamores, admitted: "The fans at West Park Bramhope said 'What do you want to go to Bradford and Bingley for? You must be the most hated man down there!'" That tag came from West Park's habit of beating the Bees in league matches, many of which were fractious affairs.

But Greenwood said: "I have probably got a couple of seasons left at this level and I wanted to play at a club that had ambition and a good team spirit, and Bradford and Bingley fitted the bill. There won't be a side in the division with better backs."

The Bees start their campaign tomorrow by entertaining Wigton, whose pack will test the home eight to the full. Greenwood and hooker Nick Green both make their Bees league debuts.

Otley and Wharfedale hope to continue their winning starts in Jewson National League One. Lock Peter Curtis and prop Dean Hardcastle get their chance for Otley at home to Fylde, while the Dalesmen hand a league debut to former Cambridge University Under-21 skipper Rob Sugden at hooker as John Lawn in injured.

Neil Dickinson is unavailable for the derby at Harrogate, so John lancaster is called up.

Bradford & Bingley (home to Wigton): M Coultas; A Firth, M Inman, H Gumbs, J Marr; R Petyt, B Greaves; R Thomas, N Green, A Smith, M Heap, A Murphy, M Thomas, H Greenwood, R Head. Replacements: S Cummins, B Clarke, B Grange.

Otley (home to Fylde): S Hawkins; S Smith, M Billington, R Whatmuff, M Kirkby; D Clappison, A Brown; R Kelly, D Sayers, D Hardcastle, P Curtis, P Williams, J Burke, L Filipo, J Skurr. Replacements: I Carroll, S Rice, J Tiffen.

Wharfedale (at Harrogate): S Gilbert; A Mounsey, C Walker, D Whitfield, G Smithson; N Heseltine, D Harrison; R lancaster, R Sugden, J lancaster, D Lister, P Evans, R Buckroyd, C Vyvyan, H Verity. Replacements: S Allen, J Davies, C Ingram.

Bradford Salem (home to Bramley Phoenix) from: A Dalton, C Luxton, S Fox, J Simpson, D Cope, D Howson, T Franklin, C Buxton, S Markey, S Newton, M Ramsbottom, B Scarbrough, S Cowman, J Bradbury, J Luxton, J Fitch, D Kelly, D Atter, B Yorke, D Luxton, N Hayden.

Baildon (home to Roundhegians A) from: A Whitley, R Moorhouse, C Smithies, S McHugh, D Wilde, M Williams, B Dobbs, S Burgess, P Watson, D Helstrip, L Brown, R Crooks, N Murphy, P Wilson, S Williams, S Fitt, T O'Neill.

Aireborough (at Skipton) from: M Hansen, P Mackie, A Martucci, P Booth, J Williams, R McGrath, R Sweetman, P Sands, G Jones, R Leadbeater, D Greenwood, S Jones, B Dowson, I Wilkinson, J Warrington, N Craven, J Dale, S Brewer, A Wood, M Hemsley, J Rhodes, D Oxtoby.

Cleckheaton (at Malton & Norton): A Green; G Stead, J Tozer, A Watson, E Lee: R Ham, G Morris; D McSwiney, M McSwiney, M Pountney, M Womersley, J Brooksbank, S Bishop, W McSwiney, J Bethel. Replacements: R Harris, N Chivers, D Thomas.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.