If going into a season with an overseas player can be problematical because of international call-ups and training camps, then so can going into a JCT600 Bradford League campaign without one.

But East Bierley are doing very nicely thank you having decided not to replace long-serving Pakistani Jaffer Nazir.

The recruitment of Chris Elstub has been crucial to Bierley’s strikepower with the new ball, but he has been well supported later in the innings by Kez Ahmed and left-arm spinner Luke Jarvis, who have often bowled well in tandem.

Bierley’s cricket chairman Ray Davis said: “Chris is a real competitor and a very good Bradford League First Division player.

“Also Luke is doing the business and our batting looks stronger too with Greg Wood coming in and Andrew Rennison doing well too.

“Andrew is only in his early 20s and it has taken him a season to adjust having joined from another league.”

Bierley started 2008 well but then suffered three straight defeats, only to bounce back well with two wins and the better of a rain affected draw at Saltaire last Sunday.

Davis added: “We still have plenty of time to climb that table with sio many points to play for.”

Gavin Hamilton’s side are currently fifth in the table and have another tester on Saturday at home to second-placed Bradford & Bingley.

Davis added: “It will be tough but we hope to have Durham fast bowler Mitchell Claydon in our side.

“He is playing for Durham against Yorkshire on Sunday at Headingley so the bowling practice could be useful.”

The other key clash on Saturday is at the other end of the table with third-from-bottom Saltaire entertaining second-from-bottom Bowling Old Lane.

Saltaire have an 18-point advantage but, as their skipper Ijaz Khan says “that can be wiped out in one match”.

He added: “Our bowling and fielding has been good but it is just our batting that has been letting us down.

"Having said that, however, we have only had one really bad performance and that was against Esholt last Saturday.

“Our overseas player (Rahul Kanwat) has arrived now and while he hasn’t been getting as many runs as we would have liked, he has been fantastic at coaching the youngsters.

“He seems to be down at the club every night and it is nice to see an overseas player putting something back in, which isn’t always the case.”

Both divisions are also in action on Sunday with the re-scheduling of the games that were washed out on the opening day of the season.

Yeadon have a chance to put some points on the board then when they play cellar dwellers Brighouse.

Leaders Woodlands are at home to Esholt on Saturday and host Hanging Heaton on Sunday. Bingley are at Pudsey St Lawrence.

* The Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions’ Trophy quarter-final between Elsecar and Pudsey Congs has been arranged for Sunday, July 6 at Elsecar.