Bradford League: Baildon captain Mick Emmerson believes his new-look side is stronger than when they finished runners up in the Secure Trust Bank Bradford League First Division last season.

But Emmerson also acknowledges that they face one of their biggest tests of the season when Pudsey St Lawrence visit Jenny Lane tomorrow.

Baildon have recruited shrewdly since they lost out on the championship in a dramatic tie against Bradford and Bingley on the final day of the season.

They gained their first win of the new campaign last week when they defeated Spen Victoria.

Long serving off-spinner John Marshall produced a match-winning performance with six for 25, but Emmerson is also pleased with his new signings.

Australian batsman Anton Scholtz, who plays grade cricket in Melbourne, former Yorkshire second team wicket-keeper-batsman Colin Chapman from Pudsey Congs and Yorkshire second team pace-bowler Ross Towler from Keighley have all made an impact.

He said: "We played very well at Spen. Although John Marshall took most of the wickets, everyone bowled well and we look very solid with Ross Towler in the attack. He is a smashing lad, he has fitted in well and we are really pleased with him.

"I think he will be a big plus for us. He will get us a few early wickets and give us more depth in our bowling.

"Colin Chapman gives us balance in the early batting order. I think he will be a big help to Richard Robinson and Paul Spragg.

"Paul who scored a not-out 50 for us at Spen is in top form and if Richard can also find his touch there is no better league cricketer. With him and Paul Spragg we believe we have got two match winners.

"I think we are a better outfit than we were last year, but it all depends on how the team and individual players perform. We are quietly confident of doing well again, but there is a long way to go."

Elsewhere in the First Division, newly promoted Bankfoot will have new signing Azam Khan in their side for the first time when they visit Pudsey Congs.

Khan, who scored a record Bradford league score of 214 for Hartshead Moor last season, is expected to play a key part in Bankfoot's bid to establish themselves in the top flight, but he has missed the first three matches after his return to England from Pakistan was delayed.

Encouragingly for Bankfoot, they beat Yorkshire Bank without him.

One of the most attractive matches is at Farsley where the home side defend their 100 per cent record against East Bierley who crushed Pudsey Congs last week thanks to a superb innings of 159 not out by Murphy Walwyn.

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