Something's got to give as Morley aim to dent Cleckheaton title bid

Cleckheaton, who have won their last eight matches to go 28 points clear at the top, want to maintain their momentum as they look to fulfil their long-held ambition to win the league title for the first time.

Morley’s motivation for wanting to stretch their sequence of five victories is more basic – they want to seal their place in the top flight for next season.

There has been much to admire in Morley’s revival and their run is all the more creditable for the fact it has been achieved since they dropped to the bottom of the table as recently as June 22 after a five-wicket defeat by East Bierley.

Morley’s experienced off-spinner Dave Nebard admits: “It wasn’t looking too good at that point but the captain Matt Baxter decided to shake things up a little and things have gone well since then.”

One of the keys of the Morley revival is also a great strength of Cleckheaton, their togetherness and team spirit.

Nebard added: “We have stuck at it and the harder wickets have suited our two top batsmen, Kashif Naveed and David Paynter, while having Colin Nuthall back has been huge for us.

“Colin knows what Division One cricket means to our club and is a tremendous asset both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Nebard is fully aware his side face a tough test against Cleckheaton. “They have built this team over the past couple of seasons and they have so many good players” he said.

“Even without Andrew Gale and Iain Wardlaw, who played at Manningham Mills last week, they are a powerful side and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against them.”

Second-placed Woodlands cannot afford another slip-up as they face a tricky game with East Bierley, while the bottom two, Baildon and Saltaire, have testing home games against Pudsey St Lawrence and Lightcliffe respectively.

Bradford & Bingley, surprise winners over Woodlands last week, visit Pudsey Congs and Hanging Heaton host Manningham Mills.