Winter League matches all on for Wednesday

Winter League

Updated at 11.35am Tuesday 13 December Both Wednesday greens have confirmed that matches will go ahead as planned.

Preview of the Division 1 & 2 fixtures scheduled for Wednesday 14 December

Few people thought that 8 weeks into the season and we would be looking at a top two clash in Division 1 featuring Meltham and Thorpe Green 'A' but that is on the schedule for this week. Meltham were Division 2 Champions last season whilst the Thorpe Green side finished in the bottom half of the table. In the merry-go-round table where teams shuffle positions every week and with just 4 points between the top six teams that seems inevitable again this Wednesday.

Meltham are unbeaten in their last six matches a run that has seen them surge to the top spot when others have faltered on a recurring basis. Thorpe Green started the season with five straight wins but have lost their last two fixtures so the leaders must be favourites to come out on top although even that is no guarantee that they will retain the top position.

Clayton West and Kirkheaton Con both recorded 8-0 wins last week against New Millers and Lower Hopton respectively and they meet up this Wednesday and are just 2 points apart in the table and either could go top should results go their way this week.

The Lindley derby match has an added edge this week with the two teams occupying the bottom two positions but the Bowling Club will be in greater heart after two good results last week including their first win of the season. The opening day of the season meeting resulted in a 4-4 draw and a repeat of that scoreline will do neither team any favours in their fight against relegation.

Champions Lower Hopton have lost 3 matches this season which is two more than they lost all last season showing how competitive Division 1 has become this year. One of those defeats was on the first day of the season to this week's opponents New Millers who will be looking to complete the first-ever double over the Lower Hopton team. Lots to play for in all four of this week's fixtures so we just need a slight thaw to ensure that the matches can go ahead in optimum conditions.

In Division 2 Lindley BC 'B' continue to set the pace and will need to build up a healthy lead as two key members of their team will be missing all January so more December points are important insurance in the promotion race which looks likely to become tighter as the season progresses. One of the main threats to the leaders comes from third-placed Lowerhouses 'A' who they meet this week although a defeat to Jackson Bridge last week was an unexpected setback which they will need to put behind them if they want to end the last unbeaten record in the League.

Jackson Bridge will be looking to add another top half team scalp to their belts this week when they take on Lockwood Con who appear to be in free-fall having lost their last 4 matches. This week's fixtures are a rerun of the opening day programme when Lockwood Con went on a 3-match winning run after beating Jackson Bridge 8-0. A repeat of that could kick-start their season and then anything could happen as they are only 6 points off the second promotion place at present. That place is held by Springwood 'A' and they will expect to build on that this Wednesday when they meet Denby Dale. Rastrick 'A' and Milnsbridge 'A' fill the fourth match slot with the Rastrick team keen to add to their first win of the season last week.