League News
Mirfield League
Big match in Division 1 this week with the top two teams going head-to-head and a possible Championship decider coming up. Lower Hopton 'A' are 10 points ahead of reigning Champions, Thongsbridge 'A', at the top of the table but it is Thongsbridge who have the home advantage this time. Lower Hopton have won their last 5 league games, Thongsbridge haven't, but they haven't been beaten on their own green all season. On an individual basis 6 of the top 8 bowlers in the division's averages come from these two teams so a high class of bowling is anticipated and necessary to win any match. Too tight to call but the outcome could certainly determine the destination of the 2021 title.
Pudsey 'A' are a further 10 points behind Thongsbridge but do have a game in hand on the top pair and they will aim to chip away at that deficit when travelling to Littlemoor 'A' this week. Littlemoor will be hoping to bounce back from a 0-12 dry-rub defeat at the hands of Lower Hopton last week but are in a bad run of form with their only win in their last 5 matches coming, ironically, against Thongsbridge. Crossgates 'A' sit in third place and will look to consolidate that status when playing away at lowly Lower Hopton 'B'.
There could be some developments at the top of Division 2 as well as the leaders, Kirkheaton Con 'A' go to play third-placed Woodlands Park. Whilst there is an 18 point difference between the teams the Kirkheaton team have lost their last 3 away matches and meet a Woodlands team that has won every home match this season so it wouldn't be a surprise if the gap is reduced by the end of Tuesday. Alverthorpe will be poised to take advantage of whichever team loses that fixture with a home game against Spen Victoria 'A' who haven't won away from home since the first day of the season whilst Alverthorpe come into the fixture on the back of a 6-match winning run. At the foot of the table The Harold Club are 13 points behind both Brighouse Sports and Brighouse 'B' who both have home fixtures this week whilst the Harold Club have to travel to play the Crossgates 'B' side who have won their last 5 home games, 4 of them by double-figure scorelines.
In Division 3 it is becoming close to the point that it will be mathematically impossible for the bottom two teams to avoid the drop to Division 4. Milnsbridge 'A' and Hobury have only won one game each this season and that was the home encounter with each other. They are 38 and 36 points respectively adrift of third from bottom Cleckheaton Sports 'A' who are the visitors to Milnsbridge this week. It wont help Horbury's cause having to play title chasers Dodworth this week as they are a point behind the joint leaders on 90 points, Shipley and Littlemoor 'B'. The top 3 are all playing away from home this week where Dodworth have the better record with 2 away wins with their 2 rivals only claiming one away win each to date.
The top two teams in Division 4 play each other on Tuesday with Thornhill holding a 10 point lead over Farsley but have played a match more than them. Third-placed Lowerhouses will be hoping for a big win for one of those two to bring the other within striking distance as they also have a game in hand over the leaders and they play a Kirkheaton Con 'B' team that has only won one of their last 4 matches.
Morton House appear to have recovered from their mid-season Division 5 stutter when they suffered their only two defeats of the season. They will look to continue that recovery when visiting lowly The Harold Club 'B' whilst second in the table Heckmondwike welcome Alverthorpe 'B' before the top two meet the following week where the title will probably be decided. The other three teams in the bottom four all play away from home this Tuesday so points won are likely to be at a premium but would also be precious at thius stage of the season.
Thongsbridge 'B' will still be top of Division 6 come Tuesday even though they are without a match this week. Their 16-point lead guarantees that status will be maintained although Golcar Lib will hope to chip away at that difference with a home match against Bradley & Colne. They will also need to keep an eye on Netherton Con who are a point further back but with a game in hand of the top two and a trip this week to strugglers Almondbury BC.
Shepley continue to set a hot pace at the top of Division 7 and may even extend their 26 point lead over Royd's Park when they play bottom of the table Dalton this week.
HuddWeb is now providing weekly postings covering the Matchday Preview and Results Round-Up for 6 local bowling leagues - the Huddersfield Saturday League, Mirfield League, Ladies Works League, Veterans 10-Man League, Veterans 6-Man League and the Huddersfield Winter League. Trying to fill the gap left by The Examiner.
Comments