HANGING Heaton and Batley are old adversaries but nobody in either squad can remember when the teams last met in league combat.

All that will change on Monday when the near-neighbours meet for the first time in The All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League at Bennett Lane.

It's a clash that pits the unbeaten leaders against the team currently propping up the Premier Division without a win to their name.

Batley skipper Tariq Hussain said: "It will be back before the time when Hanging Heaton joined the Bradford League in 1980 that we last played a league game against each other in the Central Yorkshire League.

"It is good to be playing against them and it will be another tough test as they are a strong side."

Hussain admits that Batley have found the going tough since winning promotion as last season's Championship A winners.

"We struggled in the first two or three games to come to terms with things. It is mentally tough playing the Premier League, but we are learning," he said.

Batley expect to be without several regulars on Monday down to the combined effects of it being the second game of the weekend and Ramadan.

But one man who has made a good early impression is overseas player Muhammad Abubaker Khan.

"We wanted to get the appointment of the overseas player right," said Hussain, who revealed that he had taken soundings about the player from the former Woodlands all-rounder Sarfraz Ahmed.

"Saffy and Jaffer Nazir spoke very highly about him and that was good enough for me."

Batley have worked hard in recent seasons to develop their facilities and bring on their junior players. It is something that hasn't escaped the attention of Hanging Heaton's cricket chairman John Carruthers.

He said: "They have worked very hard on their facilities and they are a well-run club. It is good to be playing them in the Premier Division."

Hanging Heaton are most people's favourites for the title after recruiting Callum Geldart from Pudsey Congs.

Geldart is one of the league's most attacking batsmen, but it is his off-spin bowling that is proving to be a key weapon for his new side.

"If conditions continue to be dry then I can see Callum and our overseas spinner Muhammad Rameez playing big roles," said Carruthers.

There are two more derbies on Monday. Pudsey St Lawrence are at home to Pudsey Congs while East Bierley host Cleckheaton.

Lightcliffe take on Woodlands and New Farnley entertain in-form Townville in the remaining matches.