A TOP five finish was what Bradford & Bingley captain Ed Brown sounded out at the beginning of the Bradford Premier League campaign.

After two consecutive league victories, most recently against Hanging Heaton, his side have a great opportunity to tighten their grip on fifth spot today as they host Farsley.

Their climb up the table has been fully merited, with a string of impressive displays in recent weeks, especially at Hanging Heaton, where they dispatched their opposition to claim an eight-wicket victory.

And recent form has got captain, Brown, excited about the squad’s credentials ahead of the final third of the league season.

He said: “July has been a really nice month for us and we are continuing to gel as a team which is always nice to see. I think the climb up the table has been thoroughly deserved because we have put in a couple of really good displays.

“The game against Hanging Heaton was our most complete performance of the campaign and we were ruthless that day, something we are not always good at being. We didn't show any nerve.”

Today’s fixture against Farsley is another huge one for Ed Brown’s side and he is well aware that every point matters.

A loss would close the gap between the two sides, Farsley in seventh and B&B in fifth, but a victory would pull them even closer to the top three, something Brown has reiterated to his players.

He said” We set ourselves the challenge of finishing in the top five at the start of the season, knowing that we had a very young and inexperienced squad.

“However, we have continued to improve week-by-week and we are showing how strong we could be moving forward. And for that reason, I have full confidence that we can continue in the same vein and get a place in the top five, however, we also have the confidence to push further and go for a top three spot.

“I believe we are a better side or certainly as good as the two teams above us, so it's about ticking off each game as it comes. My players are aware of what our objectives are and I think we are all ready to try and achieve them.”

Brown added: “For the context of our season, this game is massive. A rivalry has recently formed with Farsley too so it's always nice to get one over on them and it will be no different this weekend.

“We are expecting a very tough fixture and we are fully prepared to bring our best game to them. Their squad is strong and it has been strengthened further by a couple county players returning to the fold.

“We also know that they have a strong opening and middle order, so it is vital that we look to hinder their progress with the bat.

“If we do that then I am confident we can get the job done, but it’s going to be difficult, there’s no denying that.”

Following the game against Farsley today, B&B kick off August with a trip to Cleckheaton and they return home on August 13 to host Batley.