Cleckheaton aren’t where they want to be in the JCT600 Bradford League First Division table at the moment.

The Moorend side are eighth going into their derby at third-placed Woodlands pn Saturday, and Cleckheaton representative Bob Speight says: “Our aim is to finish in the top six.

“We feel we have a better bowling attack this year. We have three spinners in Edward Walmsley, Ammar Mahmood and Mark Cummins, and John Wood and Ian Wardlaw opening the bowling.

“Ian may have taken more wickets than John but they have tended to come in his second spell, whereas John has been firing out some of the top order and has been more economical.

“John has also found some extra pace from somewhere, and will come in off his long run at the faster pitches like East Bierley but shorten his run-up on slower grounds.”

Speight added: “It was a last-minute decision to have an overseas player this season but Ammar has turned out to be a better bowler than we thought.

“Also Edward Walmsley has come on really well, while his brother Marcus has had the tough job of opening the batting.

"We have Ian Wood coming in at No 9, which shows the strength in depth in our batting.”

Cleckheaton tied with champions Baildon last Saturday at Moorend, and Speight reflected: “It looked like we were going to win it four or five overs out but we then lost four wickets and, as you know they change games, and we could have lost it at the end with a second-teamer batting at No 11.

“But we always look forwards to playing Woodlands. We don’t like losing to them and have won twice against them in recent seasons but were well beaten on the other occasion.”

On Sunday, Farsley visit Moorend, with the top game being Woodlands’ visit to Pudsey St Lawrence.

There is also a big clash at the bottom with Saltaire hosting Yeadon.

Top match in Division Two on Saturday is Bowling Old Lane (third) v Lightcliffe (second).