Winter League
Review of Division 3 & 4 fixtures played on Monday 19 February
There is a full round of Division 3 fixtures today (Friday) before the curtain comes down next Monday with a final round of matches in Divisions 3 and 4.
We have two more Division Champions after the latest round of fixtures in Divisions 3 and 4. Lets start with Division 3 where Hanging Heaton have clinched the title after finally shaking off the challenge from a resilient Marsh United.team as the two teams met last Monday.
A rare 5-3 scoreline due to a shared aggregate score indicated the tightness of the match as the new title holders were pushed all the way. By winning an opening pairs game to 16, Marsh set the scene to be backed up by two close singles. The match win for Hanging Heaton gives them a 20-points cushion and the title to add to the promotion confirmed three weeks ago.
Marsh United have the satisfaction of pushing the winners all the way and the consolation prize of promotion confirmed. Both teams were clearly a notch above the rest of the teams in the division and the gap in points clearly indicates that superiority.
There have been only two 5-3 scorelines all season in any division so to have two such results in one day in the same division was unexpected, like London buses. For that was the same scoreline in the Milnsbridge B versus Paddock I&C match as well which was a welcome second win of the season for Paddock which will have boosted their confidence if not the league position. It seems inevitable that Paddock and Primrose Hill Lib will be relegated and next week's matches should confirm that outcome.
Two 8-0 wins for Lindley Lib B and Dalton completed the day's results and both teams will finish mid-table which has been to outcome for Dalton every season to date who have become a constant fixture in the Division 3 table forever.
Thorpe Green C added the Division 4 title to the one won in Division 5 last season and continued on their upward pathway once again. An 8-0 win over Almondbury BC A confirmed matters at both ends of the table as the Almondbury team will now drop a level along with Springwood B for next season.
For Thorpe Green it was their final fixture of the season and a position that has been much in doubt throughout the season. It is only over the latter weeks of the season that they have asserted themselves by winning their last six matches to deny at least three other teams what at one point seemed an alternative outcome. Thorpe Green have spent less time in the top spot than New Mill B, Lowerhouses B and Netherton Con A but find themselves there when it only really matters. All three of their rivals for the title also had wins last week to add to the fluidity that has been present all season and the closest title battle of any of the League's six divisions.
The second promotion place has still to be determined with two contenders left in the race with one round of matches left to play. New Mill B are in pole position and a win over already relegated Almondbury BC A next Monday will confirm their promotion in their first season in the league.
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