Bumper Monday programme previewed

Winter League

Preview of the key Monday fixtures in Divisions 2,4,8 & 10

A big programme of fixtures at four host greens this Monday as there are rearranged matches at Cowcliffe (Division 2) and Lockwood Con (Division 8) as well as the usual Monday round of fixtures at Primrose Hill Lib (Division 4) and Paddock I&C (Division 10). We just pick out the key fixtures from each of the four venues in this Monday preview. There is also the usual round of Tuesday fixtures to follow at Cowcliffe and Lockwood Con as the end-of-season rush gathers up more pace.

The New Mill B versus Meltham A match has an impact at both ends of the table but we have chosen the Lowerhouses B versus Marsh United as the key Division 2 fixture which could see the loser become the relegation favourite. With Meltham sat between the two but on a run of four straight wins neither team can afford to lose and still retain hopes of escaping relegation.

The key Division 4 fixture this week seems to be the Elland WMC v Milnsbridge B encounter with the Elland team needing a quick recovery to reclaim the 2nd promotion place they have held for much of the season. But it could get worse for them should they not win this match as Milnsbridge are poised to step into the promotion race and a win would put them above their rivals and well into contention for a strong run-in to the end of the season.

The 2nd-to-top versus 2nd-to-bottom meeting of Lockwood Con C and Linthwaite Hall B could define the season for both teams. With only three more matches to be played neither team can afford to lose this week and hand over the advantage to other teams in contention for the important positions in the Division 8 promotion and relegation battles.

There doesn't seem to be a stand-out season-changing Division 10 fixture lined up this week so I am going for the Rastrick versus Skel Windmill B match. The new Skel team joined in the fun at Christmas and are on a two-match winning run which is the sort of form that could make their Monday opponents, Rastrick, a little nervous. The Rastrick team are in a two-horse race for the title along with Thongsbridge with just a point between the teams. Any slip-up by either team could open the door to a gentle run-in to end-of-season glory for the other team.