Phil Godfrey has heard all the comments before.

Two of the favourites are: “It is boring when Woodlands are winning” and “It is good when teams challenge Woodlands.”

But the Albert Terrace side’s league representative is quick to counter such beliefs, saying: “We don’t think it is boring when we are winning and it is up to other clubs to raise themselves to challenge us.”

The JCT600 Bradford League champions won their first seven games of the season, and only lost their 100 per cent record when their home match against Pudsey Congs was abandoned last Saturday.

But Godfrey said: “We should have lost two of those matches – the second game of the season at Cleckheaton and a fortnight ago at Saltaire.

“But we have a good team spirit, everyone knows their job and we keep playing right to the end of games.” Godfrey added: “Only Sarfraz Ahmed and Tim Orrell have survived from a decade ago, and our team has gradually evolved since then.

“Tim Orrell’s attitude when he was skipper was that we are a good team and everyone should know what they are doing.

“But Pieter Swanepoel has played first-class cricket and drives the team on.

“We practice hard on a Thursday, and arrive early and practice hard before a game to make sure we are ready.”

Woodlands lead the table by 34 points from East Bierley, who they visit on Saturday.

Godfrey said: “I think we only used 13 players last season and we have only used 12 so far this season.

“We have no makewights, and if East Bierley could field their strongest team each match they would probably be closer to us in the table.

“Andrew Rennison has missed a game for them but they are our strongest rivals and we expected them to be.

“I am sure they will have their strongest team out against us this weekend, and they have been made stronger by signing Rao Anjum, who we know from his time at Spen Victoria.

“Also Gavin Hamilton tends to do well – he is a former England and Scotland international – although he doesn’t neccesarily do well against us.

“It is a good league this season, with everyone capable of beating everyone else.”

If the weather was set fair, this could be a pivotal weekend, with fourth-placed Bradford & Bingley entertaining fifth-placed Cleckheaton.

Pudsey St Lawrence, who are third, five points adrift of Bierley, are at Saltaire.