BAILDON RUFC have had a fine start to the season having won both of their league encounters.

Victories at Yarnbury and Barnsley have seen the Bradford side collect maximum points, and things are looking up for Jake Duxbury and his men.

Their fixture with Harrogate last weekend was abandoned following a serious injury to one of Harrogate's players, but they return to action today when they travel to Leeds Corinthians.

After a fairly inconsistent campaign last time out, Head-Coach Duxbury is hoping his side's early season form is a sign of what is to come.

He said: "I've got to be honest and say that our two performances so far haven't been our best, but we've dug deep and got two important victories and two big victories.

"It's massive that we are able to pick up wins when we are not our best. The start of the season is always a little bit shaky for every team and we've been able to adapt to things a little bit quicker than others, but if we can get a performance for 80 minutes rather than in spells, then I feel we've got a strong season in store."

Duxbury added: "I've seen big improvements from last season already; firstly with player availability and our sheer squad size, and then with our ruthlessness in finishing chances or half chances.

"Last season we lacked continuity, but we've managed to find a way of finishing lesser chances in the two games we've played. I've been really impressed with that aspect of our game; it seems like we are taking every chance we get at the minute and that's what's separating us and the teams we come up against; we're clinical. I'm fully confident that the 80-minute performance will come too and it would be good if we could get that against a strong Corinthians side this weekend."

The latter have started the campaign in a good light themselves, winning two of their opening three league fixtures; most recently in a battling display at Wheatley Hills to earn a 24-19 victory.

A victory for Baildon today would surely send another statement of intent out to the rest of the league, but Duxbury is well aware of the challenge his side faces.

He said: "I always enjoy playing against Corinthians; they're very physical all the time and they're a good and hard set of lads, but they're fair with it. You know that if you run in a straight line against them, then they're going to bury you into the ground.

"For that reason, we must be clever in the way we move and look to attack the spaces. Using our pace and creativity will be key if we want to make it three wins on the bounce. Their victory at Wheatley Hills was an early season standout, so I'm sure they'll be full of confidence."