Winter League
A review of the Division 1 & 2 matches played on Wednesday 3 January
What a chaotic start to 2024 in Division 1 as there were four 8-0 scorelines which included the top two teams being on the wrong end of those results. The leaders, Thorpe Green A, went down to lowly Kirkheaton Con A and second-placed New Mill A had a whitewash defeat to Meltham. It got worse for the two pace-setters as Lower Hopton were on the right end of an 8-0 score seeing off Lindley BC A and moving up 3 places and racing to the top of the table as their bid to retain the Division 1 title gathered momentum.
The other match was also an 8-0 result as Clayton West completed an 8-0 double over the Division 1 new boys, Golcar Lib, who are now 15-points off safety. That outcome also enabled Clayton West to climb back into title contention with just 6 points between the top four teams as 2014 promises to be an exciting time once again in the League's top division.
Last year going into the final two weeks of the season the relegation battle was between 7 teams where any 2 of those 7 could have been relegated but this year the season-ending nail-biting activity threatens to be at the opposite end of the table.
No such concerns in Division 2 where Cowcliffe continue to set a hot pace and now have an 18-points lead after cruising to a 9th consecutive win with an 8-0 whitewash over their nearest rivals, Lindley BC B, yesterday. Milnsbridge A moved into the second promotion place after beating Denby Dale 6-2 who still figure in the race for that second place.
Lockwood Con A had a first win in six when beating Lindley Lib A 6-2 and moved off the bottom of the table although that was only by a better 'Aggregate For' total (446-382) over Huddersfield Recreation Club who had a bye week and have played a match less than all the other 8 teams in the Division. Springwood A beat Brockholes A 6-2 to overtake their rivals but both teams remain just ahead of the top two teams with plenty of action still to come.
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