Winter League
A preview of all the Division 1 and 2 fixtures scheduled for Wednesday 9 November
Six points separate all the teams in Division 1 whilst there are 16 points between the 8 teams in Division 2 so providing evidence that the top division is likely to be closely contested this season. Lindley Lib 'A' have announced their arrival at the top level with a good start which makes them top of the pile before the Week 3 fixture programme.
However the ultimate test awaits them this Wednesday at Milnsbridge when they meet the reigning Champions Lower Hopton who are still smarting from their opening day defeat to the all-ladies team the New Millers. That makes them a very dangerous opponent as Meltham discovered last week.
It doesn't get any easier for the newly promoted Meltham side as this week they take on last season's runners-up Kirkheaton Con who sit second again at present but still need to run into top form since the resumption of the Winter League bowling season.
Three teams share the same 10-point total at the top of the table and three teams share the same 4-point total at the foot of the table. Meltham being one of that trio and Lindley BC 'A' and Clayton West being the other two and they go up against each other this Wednesday. The Lindley v New Millers fixture postponed from last week has still to be rearranged leaving the Lindley team probably in a false position in the table and they will get the chance to prove that this week as will the New Millers who take on Thorpe Green 'A' who have drawn both their matches played to date.
It is the top four versus the bottom four in Division 2 and will probably see the gap between top and bottom be extended even further. Milnsbridge 'A' are the leaders and this week they take on a Lowerhouses 'A' side that returned to winning form last week after a sluggish opening week in their attempt to make an immediate return to the top division. But Milnsbridge are in exactly the same situation in trying to return to Division 1 and they have made the best possible start to that by winning both their opening matches 8-0.
The new team from Lockwood Con are fully justifying the placing of them straight into Division 2 by winning both of their opening fixtures and sitting in second place and will be looking to build on that good start when they meet up with a Rastrick 'A' team looking for their first win of the season this Wednesday at Springwood.
Two teams looking to return to the Division 2 mid-table security attained last season are Denby Dale and Jackson Bridge. Both have had difficult starts to the season and both are still looking for their first wins. It is worse than that for Jackson Bridge who are still looking for their first points of the season so inevitably are currently adrift at the foot of the table. They will be hoping to open their 2022 account against the host team of Springwood 'A' who they play this week. Newly promoted Lindley BC 'B' have started the season brightly with two good wins and will be aiming to continue that run when they play Denby Dale on Wednesday which starts at 11.30am as do all the Winter League fixtures this season.
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