TO BE a groundsman in England must require the patience of Job and very broad shoulders.

Pudsey St Lawrence have relaid their square this season, and new skipper Chris Marsden can't praise their groundstaff and sundry volunteers enough.

"A very wet spring and then a prolonged dry spell have not helped matters at all," said all-rounder Marsden before their top-of-the-table All Rounder Bradford Cricket Premier League Premier Division clash against defending champions Hanging Heaton tomorrow.

Marsden said: "Three or four weeks before the start of the season you would not have thought that we would have played on it before June, but our groundstaff and volunteers have been magnificent.

"There is some unevenness on the square and I don't know how long it will take to bed in – some say a year, some say two or three years – but I do know that a lot of runs will be scored on it.

"However, on the advice of the contractors, we have put 42,000 litres of water on it this week and have hired a three-ton roller to flatten it.

"We are also getting a water tank in to collect rainwater."

Marsden added: "It is a different wicket, but the teams we have beaten at home seemed to have got it into their heads about it being a new square."

He is not expecting Hanging Heaton to make the same mistake.

Saints had a very good Bank Holiday weekend, defeating Farsley by two wickets, courtesy of 45 not out by Marsden, and Townville on the back of a win the previous weekend over East Bierley.

But he knows that his side will have to play very well to win tomorrow, saying: "Hanging Heaton have had a good batting line-up for two or three seasons now, and they also have some good bowlers.

"But we also have some good batters and bowlers. We have a spin trio of myself, Tom Hudson and Steve Watts, but I am not saying that spin will be decisive as both sides also have some good seam bowlers.

"Charlie Parker is bowling well for us and Richie Lamb has just come back from playing for the MCC, so will have plenty of overs under his belt."

St Lawrence have 100 points and their visitors 98, and elsewhere in the top flight, third-placed New Farnley (88) are at next-to-bottom Scholes (54), who could well be in a dogfight with five others clubs to avoid the second relegation spot.

Woodlands (82), who are fourth, have a derby at Cleckheaton (58), while Lightcliffe (81) host East Bierley (24), who are danger of being cut adrift.

Methley (78) are at home to Farsley (66), while Bradford & Bingley (65) host Townville (59) in what are as near to mid-table clashes as you can get early doors.