The fixture computer could hardly have handed Bowling Old Lane a stiffer test on their return to the top flight in the JCT600 Bradford League.

Try these for starters when you are trying to find your feet in Division One - East Bierley away, Pudsey St Lawrence at home and champions Woodlands away, who currently occupy the top three placings in the section.

No club in the league would have fancied that trio first up but from their position at the bottom of the pile, the Division Two champions and Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup runners-up are saying Our season starts now'.

Maybe the fact that the draw for the second round of the Priestley Cup and Shield will take place at their ground on Saturday afternoon will inspire Old Lane for their match against fellow bottom-two side Hanging Heaton.

The unpredictable Batley side are three points better off than their hosts and, despite failing to make 100 in their first two starts, they at least have a win under their belts.

That came last Saturday at home to Saltaire, overseas player Thilan Thushara taking four for 33 and all-rounder James Stansfield chipping in with two for 21 and 21 not out.

However, although they only have 14 points in the bag, Old Lane have had some bright points, chief of which has been the batting of Amjid Khan.

Strange to say in a side that have scored 200, 183 for nine and 144, he hasn't failed yet, making 46 against Bierley, 47 against Saints and 39 against Woodlands.

"If you look at our team this season then our batting is probably stronger than our bowling, and we now need the rest of the batting to perform," said former skipper Tahir Khan.

Woodlands are at Idle, while leaders Bierley are at Saltaire.

Pudsey St Lawrence host Bradford & Bingley, while fourth-placed Pudsey Congs are at Cleckheaton, who can match Hanging Heaton in the surprise stakes.

Manningham Mills, who have adjusted to life very well in the upper section considering they finished last season 14 points behind Old Lane, have a tough test at Baildon, while third-from-bottom Farsley will hope to continue their revival at Brighouse.