Winter League
Another Monday, another round of fixtures in the Winter League's Division 3 programme and another preview as part of the build-up to these matches. One rearranged Division 1 fixture at Milnsbridge is also added to Monday's programme so a few words about that as well.
There is one Division 1 match being played on Monday as we catch up on matches after last week's fixture programme was postponed due to the very wet weather. That match features the two teams occupying the bottom two positions in the table as Lowerhouses 'A' take on a Rastick 'A' team still looking for their first win of the season. Lowerhouses dropped into the relegation places after Milnsbridge 'A' claimed two points to move above them from their catch-up fixture on Friday against Thorpe Green 'A'. With 16-points between the two teams it really seems as if Rastrick are in the last chance saloon if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation they really need to take some points off their nearest opponents this week. Whereas Lowerhouses are also desperate for points to ease their own relegation worries.
The full normal preview of Division 1 matches to be staged on Wednesday this week will appear on the website on Tuesday.
With second in the Division 3 table Lindley BC 'B' having the day off there is no threat this week to Thorpe Green 'C's status of top spot but there will be pressure to extend their unbeaten run beyond the current 7 match sequence. The only team to beat them this season has been Rastrick 'B' who they face this Monday so some scores to be settled or maybe not. Whatever happens, the Thorpe Green side will retain the top position as we go into the second half of the season.
Brockholes will be keen to get their promotion challenge back on track this week after a couple of below-par performances has seen their challenge falter and they will be looking to complete a league double over Springwood 'B' this week. This will be a very different Springwood side to that beaten on day one of the season as they will be really buzzing after collecting their first win of the campaign last week.
No team in Division 3 has won more matches than Milnsbridge 'B' but one of the ones that they didn't win was their opening day defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Recreation Club 'B' who they play again this Monday. Ironically that has been the Recreation Club's only victory this season to date so they will be looking for a league double and an end to their 7-match losing run.
Dalton's last three matches have been against the top three teams in the division and all have ended in 4-4 draws proving that they are capable of mixing it with the best the division has to offer. Now they need to prove they can go one better than that against teams lower down the table and the opportunity presents itself this week when they meet Lowerhouses 'B'. Two points above Dalton and having won 2 of their last 3 matches so Lowerhouses have expectations of their own so another 4-4 draw could loom.
It all happens from 12noon at Thorpe Green where for bowlers and spectators alike a warm welcome and hot drink awaits you.
