PUDSEY St Lawrence's captain says upsets are part-and-parcel of cricket in the Bradford Premier League after leaders Woodlands suffered their first defeat.

Chris Marsden's charges sit a position behind Woodlands in the top-flight and are a consistent presence each year at the upper end of the table.

The eight-wicket defeat for the leaders against New Farnley gives titleholders Pudsey the chance of clawing back a 24-point deficit.

It is a result that will buoy Marsden and his men, but the captain is wary of the unpredictable nature of the league.

He said: "What people fail to realise is the league is more competitive now than it has ever been.

"Woodlands have played some great consistent stuff and that's why they're at the top.

"They got a great find in their overseas player Brad Schmulian.

"The three front batters have glued their side together, along with their bowling which is always good.

"But there's always the chance of a slip up in this league.

"A team won't go unbeaten for a full season.

"Upsets are going to happen.

"You've got to be on your game every week.

"With Methley for example, it's quite hard to see why they're without a win really.

"The league this year is unpredictable.

"There's more upsets to come, Woodlands will lose more games, it's just the nature of the league."

Consistency is key and Pudsey made it three consecutive wins against Methley last time out.

But, Marsden's comment rung true there as well, with the numbers on the scorecard showing a lot closer than many would have expected.

Methley batted first and got 146-10, before Pudsey followed up with 150-8 with the 50 over mark on the horizon.

Marsden admits it was a good game, despite a difficult pitch due to rain the day before.

He said: "It made it interesting, and with them choosing to bat first, although we were going to bowl first anyway.

"They bowled well on the front and I thought our middle and lower order played fantastic.

"They showed maturity and it's been a really good week for us.

"The lads played really well and put us into a winning position and we got it over."

There's a top-of-the-table clash of the titans for Pudsey next, when they travel to third-placed Bradford & Bingley who are just three points behind.

Marsden said: "Bradford & Bingley shape up well, I like the look of their side.

"They've got two seamers and back it up with one of the best spinners in the league in Brad Reeve.

"In both departments they've got a lot better this year, there's better stability in their middle order.

"We've got to be on our game on Saturday.

"If we do, then we've got a good chance.

"It's pretty much like that until the end of the season."