Division 3 title race wide open again

Winter League

Review of the Division 3&5 results from matches played on Wednesday 28 January

One set of Wednesday results has turned the Division 3 promotion race in a totally different direction as the top two teams both lost their Wednesday matches. The new name on the engraver's predictive schedule is Denby Dale after they beat the previous leaders, Almondbury BC B, 8-0 to leapfrog the top two and go clear at the top with one round of fixtures still to be played. That turbo latter-end of the season finish has seen the Denby Dale team dispose of both of the top teams by the same 8-0 scoreline after demolishing Slaithwaite the previous week to blow apart the promotion race. Add to that is the fact that Denby Dale's final fixture is against already relegated Lindley BC B which makes them clear favourites to take the title which always seemed just out of their grasp for much of the season before this massive turnaround.

DIVISION 3 FINAL DAY FIXTURE PROGRAMME

But the drama doesn't stop at the top of the table as recent results means that there are still four teams in contention for the two promotion places with one match left to play. The final day fixtures reveal all. Almondbury BC B sit in 2nd place and with a last day match against a Springwood A team who are already relegated offers a lifeline to them after their collapse when playing the new leaders.

Three things still to be finalised in the Division 5 table but one thing we do know is that the two Mirfield teams are both promoted and one of them will add the title to their credit. The Mirfield Old Bank team are in prime position to claim that honour with a two-point lead over Mirfield A and two matches still to be played.

However the outcome may have been decided before the final day as the two top teams play each other this Wednesday. A win for Mirfield Old Bank could add the title to their achievements this season whereas a repeat of the earlier season 4-4 draw would drag the outcome into a final-day showdown. If that happened, then the balance could turn Mirfield A's way as they would be facing Thorpe Green B who are still fighting against the threat of relegation. Whereas the Old Bank would have to overcome third-in-the-table Jackson Bridge. This just emphasises how key next Wednesday's result is going to be.

Plenty to play for at the foot of the table as well with Dalton and Kirkheaton C&BC locked together on 32 points and 6 points behind Thorpe Green B. It is the Thorpe Green B team that has the more difficult run-in to the end of the season as they play two of the top three teams. Then there is also a head-to-head clash between the bottom two teams on the final day of the season but things may have been taken out of their own hands by then. All will be revealed in due course.