It is tough at the top for Denby Dale

Winter League

Review of the fixtures played at Springwood and Lindley Lib on Wednesday 22 January

Division 3 Second in the table New Mill B extended their unbeaten run to six by beating top of the table Denby Dale 6-2 and closing the gap between the teams to 8 points. With only one win in their last 5 matches Denby Dale are faltering a little and encouraging the chasing pack headed by New Mill B. Next in line is Lowerhouses B but they slipped up this week by losing 2-6 to Thorpe Green C and that makes it a losing run of three with just two matches left to play for all the teams.

With only 4 points separating the bottom four teams all still harbour hopes of avoiding the drop. Springwood A improved their chances by beating Huddersfield Recreation Club A to leave their opponents in the bottom spot with both in the drop zone. Above them sits Brockholes A and Thorpe Green C. The Brockholes team made it four matches since a win when going down 0-8 to Lockwood Con A and cannot afford to lose their two remaining matches againt top three opponents.

Division 5

The meeting of the teams in 2nd and 3rd places in Division 5 saw Milnsbridge C throwing the promotion chase wide open by beating Elland WMC by 6-2. That leaves the two teams level on points with only 3 matches left to play. Elland WMC have the more difficult run-in to the end of the season starting next week against the leaders. With Milnsbridge C scheduled to play 3 of the bottom 4 teams the balance is very much in their favour at present.

The results this week benefited the leaders Lindley Lib C who now need only 7 points from those three remaining fixtures to clinch the title and promotion. They did their bit this week by beating bottom-of-the-table Springwood B 6-2 which almost certainly ensured their relegation from the division they host.

After going the first 9 fixtures of the season without winning, Almondbury BC A made it two wins on the bounce by beating Paddock I&C 6-2 with a 50-49 aggregate win being key in that outcome. Jackson Bridge and Kirkheaton C&BC A are both mid-table holding down 4th and 5th positions with Jackson Bridge confirming their position higher up the table than their opponents with a 6-2 win which makes no difference to either team in their their standing in the table.