Wednesday fixtures previewed

Winter League

Preview of the fixtures in Divisions 1, 3, 4 & 5 scheduled for Wednesday 29 January

Four rounds of fixtures this Wednesday with the usual fare of Divisions 1,3 and 5 supplemented with a catch-up set from Division 4 at Primrose Hill Lib. They all start at 11.00am to the casual supporter has a real choice of venues.

Division 1

There is a top v bottom clash as Thorpe Green A continue on relentlessly towards a second successive title. Whereas Lindley Lib A are trying to avoid an immediate return to Division 2 but that outcome seems increasingly likely as they are 10 points short of safety with three matches left to play. After taking on the top team in the division that is followed by playing New Mill A and then a final day clash with fellow strugglers Meltham A.

The Lindley Lib A side would settle for the final day being a relegation decider but they need to overtake Kirkheaton Con A who have the hardest run-in of the bottom three teams with matches against Thorpe Green, Cowcliffe and Lower Hopton. Meltham are in a similar position to Lindley Lib but both remain positive about their chances.

Division 3

Denby Dale have led the Division 3 table almost all season usually by more than the 8 point gap that they currently have. However only needing 5 points from their last two fixtures is surely achievable especially as they face two teams in the bottom half of the table. More close is the race for the second promotion place with New Mill B and Lowerhouses B both in the frame although Lockwood Con A will claim that they are still in contention as well. It is unlikely that the matter will be decided this week but will go through to the final day of the season. New Mill B remain hot favourites to take that 2nd promotion spot with a 3 points lead and two remaining matches against bottom three opponents.

Any two from four for the relegation places which may come down to the better 'Aggregate For' totals with the bottom two teams, Springwood and Hudd Recreation Club, showing the lowest totals at present.

Division 4

A round of catch-up fixtures at Primrose Hill this Wednesday and after a surprise defeat to Primrose Hill Lib in yesterday's programme the leaders, Rastrick, will be aiming to get back on course. They have been joined by Slaithwaite on 55 points and only a 1 point difference in the 'Aggregate For' total enables them to hang on to the top place. With the Slaithwaite team having two fixtures against bottom-of-the-table Dalton still to come the race is really on for the title and both should complete their promotion target before the final day of the season.

Dalton are in a group of three from which it seems that the two relegation sufferers will come so they will not welcome two matches against a motivated title challenger. Linthwaite Hall A had a win on Monday against fellow relegation-threatened Thorpe Green B and that couldn't come soon enough after a run of five straight defeats. The two remaining matches against Milnsbridge B will prove decisive in the final outcome.

Division 5 Lindley Lib C are the Division 5 Champions after Monday's 8-0 win over Elland WMC a result which may have ended the Elland team's hopes of promotion in their first season in the League. That honour looks like a race between Jackson Bridge and Milnsbridge C who both play bottom three opponents this Wednesday. A slip-up by either of these two contenders at this late stage of the season could prove crucial.

Paddock I&C need three points from their final two fixtures to condemn Almondbury BC A to the second relegation place and a partner to accompany already relegated Springwood B down into Division 6.