Winter League
A preview of the 5 divisions of fixtures to be played on Wednesday and Thursday this week
Wednesday 30 October Division 1 at Milnsbridge
Cowcliffe A and Lindley Lib A are the two teams promoted into the top division and although Lindley Lib have been here before it is the Cowcliffe team that seems to be the stronger of the two new contenders. They took the Division 2 title last year by a massive 34 points and have strengthened their team in preparation for the new season. I think we may be looking at a new top-four-place team. The Lindley Lib team know what a difficult division this one can be and, without reinforcements, will do well to retain their top division status.
A Lindley derby match is always keenly contested and at the start of a new season can set the standards to be maintained throughout the season and a good win over your neighbours is always a great start to a season.
Thorpe Green A are the reigning Champions and can be expected to feature regularly in the 2024-25 title race alongside Lower Hopton the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Champions. Thorpe Green begin their campaign against last year's third-place finishers New Mill A. We will know much more about the threat that Cowcliffe could carry after their first match against Lower Hopton. Previous knowledge about the green could sway the result but then a lot of work has been undertaken on the green since the end of the summer season and all teams may find they are starting their local knowledge all over again.
Meltham A and Kirkheaton Con A filled mid-table slots last season which makes matches between teams all the more important. You can never underestimate the fillip a good opening day win can give to any team.
Division 3 at Springwood
Only 3 weeks into the new season and no Division 3 team has a 100% win record. The top two clash of last week saw Denby Dale and Lowerhouses B share the points 4-4 to retain the same running order. This week it is the Lowerhouses team that seems to have the bigger test of the leading pair. They have to play third-placed New Mill B who have had a good start after this promotion by winning 2 of their 3 fixtures. Meanwhile Denby Dale will be looking to extend their 3 points lead at the top when they take on a Brockholes A team heartened by their first win of the season last week.
Huddersfield Recreation Club A will do well to take any points from their meeting with Lockwood Con A and a win for the bottom team would be a big ask based on current form. The programme is completed by Thorpe Green C and Springwood A meeting with one point between the two of them at present.
Division 5 at Lindley Lib
The end-of-season reorganisation of divisions had a big impact on the standings of the 8 teams in Division 5 for this season. Jackson Bridge being the lowest finishing team of 2024 in the new line-up but they have made a strong start to life at this level. They were one of three teams to open the season with 8-0 whitewash wins alongside Kirkheaton C&BC and Lindley Lib C. This Wednesday they meet Milnsbridge BC C who are better than last week's result would suggest.
However the biggest threat may come from Elland WMC who opened their season with a 6-2 win to go fourth in the table and this week take on bottom-of-the-table Paddock I&C. Lindley Lib C and Kirkheaton C&BC both had 8-0 opening day wins last week and go head-to-head this Wednesday with the eventual winners making more of a declaration of their intent than either did in last week's results. Springwood B and Almondbury BC A both have the opportunity to recover from first-day defeats and push themselves further up the table.
Thursday 31 October
Division 6 at Netherton Con
It may be Halloween night but there seems little, on paper, to scare the top two teams in Division 6 from continuing their bright start to the season. The leaders are Almondbury BC B and they play Huddersfield Recreation Club B who have won 1 and lost 1 to date. Brockholes B match the played 2 won 2 record of the leaders and they take on Netherton Con B who sit just above the relegation places at present but are always going to be a difficult opponent on their own green.
Springwood C will expect to improve on their current third-place after this Thursday's fixture against bottom-of-the-table New Mill C. Mirfield A have taken 10 points from their opening two matches and can build on that against an Outlane side that have lost both their matches to date.
Division 7 at Huddersfield RUFC
Huddersfield RUFC are not humble hosts as they top the Division 7 table at present although it is early days but taking over at the top can prove to be a good habit. They will be looking to extend their winning run when taking on Marsh Lib this week in the sure knowledge that second placed Cowcliffe B are likely to extend their own winning start to the season when playing a Broad Oak A side still looking for their first win of the season.
Hanging Heaton B are becoming the Division 7 draw specialists having shared the points in 2 of their 3 fixtures to date and this Thursday take on the bottom team of Lockwood Con B. The B teams of Meltham and Kirkheaton Con complete the Thursday fixture programme. Two points separate the teams in the table and each has 1 win from 3 matches and one of the two will probably be adding to that total this week.
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