FOR the third successive round of fixtures its the match between first and second that dominates The All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League programme.

Tomorrow its New Farnley against leaders Pudsey St Lawrence that is the headline act.

Already this season Hanging Heaton, New Farnley and Pudsey St Lawrence have all headed the table.

It’s a state of affairs that New Farnley’s cricket manager Paul Hutchison believes is good for the league.

“There won’t be a runaway winner this year because the competition is so tight,” he said.

Hutchison, who won successive championships with St Lawrence before joining New Farnley, added: “I think however wins the league will probably lose four or five games.

“As well as the top three there are teams like Woodlands and Farsley who are capable of beating anybody.

“It says a lot for the league that we have such good competition.”

New Farnley will be boosted by the return of skipper Lee Goddard after a two-match absence.

They will also have Yorkshire’s Andrew Hodd in their batting line up.

“It should be a cracking matc,” said Hutchison. “St Lawrence are a strong side who have been competing at the top for a number of seasons.

“We are still in the early stages of a long-term project, but I am more than happy with ho things have gone.”

Opener Martin Andersson, who is a Middlesex Second team player, is playing his last game before returning home from university in Leeds.

On the plus side New Farnley should have pace bowler Andrew Brewster back from university.

One team who have made big strides up the league in recent weeks are Lightcliffe.

They are joint third ahead of their tricky trip to Townville and will be hoping to continue their tun of wins.

Hanging Heaton will be looking to return to winning ways at home to Methley, while Cleckheaton will be striving for a third straight win at East Bierley.

Woodlands have lost their last two games and need a lift as they take on Scholes, while Farsley will be hoping for another strong performance against a Bradford & Bingley side that has only won once this season.