Heaton face Saints clash — Bradford rule changes

Woodlands will welcome Farsley to Oakenshaw, East Bierley will fancy their chances of progressing against second division Lightcliffe, Gomersal travel to Bankfoot, while Spen Victoria are at home to Bankfoot.

Cleckheaton and Hartshead Moor both received byes at last Thursday’s draw.

Full draw: Hanging Heaton v Pudsey St Lawrence, Woodlands v Farsley, Yeadon v Bowling Old Lane, East Bierley v Lightcliffe, Morley v Pudsey Congs, Bradford & Bingley v Gomersal, Saltaire v Brighouse, Spen Victoria v Bankfoot, Great Horton v Baildon.

Byes: Cleckheaton, Hartshead Moor, Idle, Keighley, Manningham Mills, Undercliffe, Windhill.

Two significant rule changes will be introduced to the Bradford League from the start of next season, following last Thursday’s annual meeting at Pudsey Congs.

The main rule change will see the introduction of a 30 metre fielding circle for all league matches.

For the duration of an innings, the fielding side must have four fielders, plus the wicketkeeper and bowler inside the circle.

The second is a slight alteration to the points system. A proposal by Cleckheaton to bring in a new system was defeated, although there will be a change to rain affected matches.

When a match is abandoned without a ball being bowled, each side will receive five points – increased from two.

In games which start and are then halted by bad weather, the sides will receive five points, plus any bonus points they have collected.

The Bradford League have also released their 2011 fixtures.

There will be a battle of the two promoted sides on the opening day of the season (April 16) when last season’s Division Two champions Hanging Heaton mark their return to the top flight with a trip to runners-up Manningham Mills.

The pick of the opening day games sees Woodlands entertaining rivals and champions Pudsey Congs, there is a derby as East Bierley make the short trip to Gomersal, while Cleckheaton are away to Pudsey St Lawrence.

In Division Two, Hartshead Moor begin by making the short trip to Brighouse, while Spen Victoria are at home to relegated Saltaire.

A full list of fixtures are available on the league website.

Bradford League opening day fixtures

Saturday April 16

First Teams Division One: Baildon v Undercliffe, Farsley v Bradford & Bingley, Gomersal v East Bierley, Manningham Mills v Hanging Heaton, Pudsey St Lawrence v Cleckheaton, Woodlands v Pudsey Congs.

First Teams Division Two: Bankfoot v Bowling Old Lane, Brighouse v Hartshead Moor, Idle v Lightcliffe, Spen Victoria v Saltaire, Windhill v Morley, Yeadon v Keighley. Great Horton - Free

Second teams Division One: Bowling Old Lane v Baildon, Bradford & Bingley v Farsley, Hanging Heaton v Yeadon, Hartshead Moor v Woodlands, Lightcliffe v Pudsey St Lawrence, Morley v Windhill.

Second teams Division Two: Cleckheaton v Spen Victoria, East Bierley v Gomersal, Keighley v Manningham Mills, Pudsey Congs v Idle, Saltaire v Brighouse, Undercliffe v Bankfoot. Great Horton - Free

The Heavy Woollen Cup will have a full compliment of 32 clubs next season.

The only change from last season’s competition is that Idle have pulled out, to be replaced by Ossett.

The draw takes place in January but secretary Lesley Robinson is urging clubs to submit their contact details for the handbooks.