Division 3 countdown starts now

Winter League

Time to look at the final Division of a quartet having played 10 fixtures before Christmas and well on their way to an end-of-season climax. We looked at the prime contenders for promotion and relegation and tip the winners and losers as we see them. Today it is the turn of the Division 3 teams to come under the microscope and we focus on the race for the title and promotion places with five teams in contention for a top two positions.

Ten points separate the top five teams in Division 3 and all five are within range of securing a top two position although it looks like the title chase may be down to the top two contenders. The final four match fixture programme certainly favours the top two teams as Slaithwaite and Almondbury BC B are not scheduled to face each other but both will have to meet third-placed Denby Dale. Whereas the other three teams in this table all have to play both of the top two.

In another comparison exercise the top two have an identical closing programme as they both play the same four opponents so neither has a weaker or stronger end of season run-in. The obvious conclusion from that is, assuming that they have the same set of results, that they will finish in the same positions as they are now and claim the two promotion places with Slaithwaite collecting a third successive title.

The form guide points to Almondbury BC B having the edge, having won their last three matches, including one against the leaders. Whereas Slaithwaite have only won one of their last three, losing to bottom-of-the-table Lindley BC B as well as Almondbury BC B. The Christmas break may have come at the right time to enable the Salithwaite team to refresh their hopes, regroup and return to the level they are clearly capable of.

Denby Dale will have to beat the top two and bottom two teams if they are to repeat last season's achievement of finishing in the top two positions and even if they do that, it may not be enough to peg back the four-point deficit that currently keeps them away from a top two slot. However, the Denby Dale team did start the season with a 10-point penalty after declining the promotion their second-place finish last season had won them.

Let's keep it simple and forecast no change in the top three positions with Slaithwaite hanging on to claim that impressive third successive division title.

Division 3 bowling returns to action on Wednesday 7 January at Springwood BC and is due to complete the 2025-26 fixture programme on Wednesday 28 January.