Winter League
Review of the Division 1 and 2 results from Wednesday 2 February
Lower Hopton were held to a 4-4 draw by Kirkheaton Con as their Division 1 title rivals, Thorpe Green, clock up an 8-0 win over Lindley BC 'A' to move within a point of the leaders with just one more match to play. Lower Hopton play relegated Lindley BC 'A' in that final match to remain favourites to retain the title.
Lower Hopton looked to be cruising to a 6-2 win when Graham Hirst built up a 20-15 lead over Crafty Cooper in the final game having shared the previous two games and having a 4-chalks lead in the aggregate. However Crafty fought back to win the game 21-20 and give the Con Club a lifeline going into the final round of fixtures.
Kirkheaton Con have now taken 12 points off Lower Hopton in their two fixtures but remain in danger of being relegated next week. The final day fixtures see them play Lindley Lib 'A' who currently occupy the second relegation spot but if they should have a big win then the Con Club could go down.
Wedged between the two teams sit the New Millers who were beaten 2-6 by Clayton West and the Millers remain one of four teams that could still be relegated. Clayton West themselves need points from the last week's matches to secure their Division 1 status although it would need a 0-8 defeat in their final match coupled with a 6-2 win for Lindley Lib over Kirkheaton Con for both teams to pass them. Meltham's 6-2 win over Lindley Lib 'A' means that they cannot now be relegated, they are safe and the threat of an immediate return to Division 2 has been averted.
Lowerhouses 'A' finally overhauled Division 2 season-long leaders Lindley BC 'B' to go 6 points clear with one match to go. An 8-0 win over Jackson Bridge being sufficient as the leaders made it a dry-January with no wins in 2023 with a 2-6 loss to Lockwood Con being the latest setback. The Lindley team will meet relegated Rastrick 'A' in the final round of fixtures next week but if Lowerhouses can claim at least a draw against Springwood 'A' then they will be Champions regardless of any Lindley result. The Lindley outfit need to claim two points from this final match to secure promotion.
Denby Dale took a huge step forward to retaining their Division 2 status for next season with an 8-0 victory over Rastrick 'A' at the same time as Jackson Bridge were on the wrong end of a whitewash scoreline. The final day meeting of Denby Dale and Jackson Bridge will determine both teams' fate although Springwood 'A' have slipped into the relegation mix as well and will not welcome a final day confrontation with leaders Lowerhouses 'A'.
Despite a 6-2 win for Milnsbridge 'A' over Springwood 'A' they look to have lost all hope of claiming the second promotion place and their final day match against Lockwood Con looks increasingly like a mid-table meeting of two teams with little to win or lose although Springwood can only relax and enjoy the day after securing the 4 points that will secure their future.
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