METHLEY captain Grant Soames proved key to their surprise victory over Bradford Premier League champions Hanging Heaton, but he was keen to praise the club's newer stars for giving his side a winning edge.

Soames took 4-50 before hitting a fine 75 in a three-wicket win on Saturday, but he said that he was simply happy to help the team out and enjoy himself during their first season back in the top flight.

He feels that the side's competitiveness has increased significantly since the signing of overseas pace bowler Waqas Ahmed, who took 6-64 at the weekend to bring his tally of wickets for the season to 22 in four games.

Soames enthused: "He's been a good addition. When we assessed at the end of last season, we felt that one area we needed to improve in was having a lethal strike bowler.

"Waqas is a bit older than a lot of the team, but he's also faster and has a good first-class record. He's been taking two or three wickets in his opening spells before coming back and being ruthless against the tail.

"He's certainly had the impact that we'd hoped."

Adam Patel made 79 in the victory over Hanging Heaton, and Soames was delighted with the consistency that the former East Bierley captain has shown this season after returning from suspension.

He said: "He's confident at the crease and always able to score. He's made three half centuries in his last four games and his batting just gives us confidence throughout the whole team."

Saturday's victory saw Methley move up to seventh, but in a congested league, they are only five points off third spot. They face another test at the weekend though, as they host league leaders New Farnley.

The match is a repeat of last season's Priestley Cup final, which Methley lost, but Soames hopes his team will take confidence from the Hanging Heaton result.

He said: "We've just got to do the same again. New Farnley are a strong side, filled with ex-county pros and some England caps and they'll start as favourites.

"This is the second of three tough games in a row with (second-placed) Pudsey St Lawrence coming up next Saturday. But we'll stick to our task because we believe we can win every game we play."

St Lawrence, who lost by eight wickets to New Farnley to lose top spot last week, will be hoping to bounce back when they visit a Scholes side anxious to climb away from the relegation positions.

Hanging Heaton have lost their last two league games and will be anxious to turn things around away to inconsistent Bradford & Bingley.

Lightcliffe have been one of the surprise packages of the season and they will be a real test for fourth-placed Farsley.

After recording their first win, East Bierley visit Woodlands and their victims last week Cleckheaton are at home to improving Townville.