Division 1 leaders cruising to third title

Winter League

Preview of the Division 1 fixtures scheduled for Wednesday 21 January

Cowcliffe are not in their best form of the season and have to face the Division 1 leaders this Wednesday who remain as strong as ever and totally focused on lifting a third consecutive Championship title. Thorpe Green have only been beaten once all season and that was by Lower Hopton and will expect to build on that record again this week. Lower Hopton are the biggest threat and they will need to continue to pick up points before their top of the table title-decider clash in two weeks' time.

Things are looking bleak for the bottom two teams, Golcar Lib and Kirkheaton Con A, as they face up to New Mill A and Hinging Heaton A respectively this Wednesday. The New Mill team have drawn creditable draws with top three teams in their last two fixtures and can be expected to provide stern opposition for a team that shouldn't be sat at the foot of the table with the players they have to call on. Kirkheaton Con A are founder members of the Division 1 teams but their continuing membship is under a real threat. A match against Hanging Heaton A is a big hurdle to overcome but they must get something from this fixture if they are to retain any hopes of avoiding a drop in status.

Lower Hopton are on a run of seven matches unbeaten and will expect to extend that sequence when taking on a Lindley BC A team who are on a good run of their own, having only lost to the leaders in their last five fixtures.