Winter League
A preview of the Division 1 matches to be played at Milnsbridge from 12noon on Wednesday
To pinch a quote from Sir Alex Ferguson the season is fast approaching 'Squeaky Bum Time' as the matters at the top and bottom of each of our three divisions come to a head. None more so than the fight to stay in the top division which is now down to which of Milnsbridge 'A' and Lowerhouses 'A' will be accompanying Rastrick 'A' through the relegation trapdoor.
Both teams have three matches left to play. One of those is against each other and that takes place this Wednesday at Milnsbridge when surely it is a real 16-pointer of a match when a win for either will boost their survival chances enormously. The table below shows the current league record and remaining fixtures for each team. There isn't an easy fixture for either in their remaining programme so doubling the pressure on both to do something special this week.
MILNSBRIDGE 'A' Played-13 Won-2 Drawn-2 Lost-9 Pts-34 Remaining Fixtures  | LOWERHOUSES 'A' Played-13 Won-3 Drawn-0 Lost-10 Pts-32 Remaining Fixtures  |
Looking at the latest form of both of these teams and we can see that Lowerhouses have lost their last four matches whereas Milnsbridge have won 1 drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last four matches. In fact they were unfortunate not to take winning points from both of their last two fixtures losing strong positions in one and narrowly beaten 20-21 in the two singles games and winning the pairs in the other. Their current two-point advantage may yet prove decisive but Lowerhouses are a team of fighters and have the backup of an 8-0 win over Milnsbridge from earlier in the season. It really is Squeaky Bum Time now.
There are another three matches in the programme this week with the teams in 3rd and 4th places meeting to try and put the squeeze on 2nd placed Kirkheaton Con who have a bye-week. The New Millers ended a barren 4-match spell with two consecutive 8-0 wins at the start of the New Year and will fancy their chances of completing a league double over Clayton West.
Leaders Lower Hopton will expect to retain their all-winning record when tackling Thorpe Green 'A' and Lindley BC 'A' will be looking to bounce back from losing to Lower Hopton last week when tackling the team at the other end of the table, Rastrick 'A', this week.
It all happens at Milnsbridge from 12noon on Wednesday and spectators as usual are most welcome at the club. The bar will be open as will the kitchen and a £1 investment will give you a raffle ticket as well. What more could anyone want.
