Winter League
A review of all the Division 2 matches played on Wednesday 9 February
With still 2 weeks to go in the Division 2 fixture programme, Meltham can already be declared Champions. They currently hold an 18-point lead over Lindley Lib who can reach a maximum total of 103 points, two short of Meltham's current total. The new Champions will be presented with their trophy prior to the matches starting next Wednesday as they don't have a fixture on the final day of the season. Congratulations to Meltham who need one more win to make it 16 wins from 16 matches, a remarkable record.
Their latest victory was an 8-0 whitewash of one of their prime challengers Springwood 'A' on Wednesday when they emphasised their dominance of the Division's Averages tables with four Meltham bowlers in the top five positions including the top position held by Eddie Haigh. Not to be outdone Lindley Lib have had a fine first season in the League with 5 bowlers in the top ten in the Averages table and needing two points from their final two matches to clinch the second promotion place. They had a bye week this week but will be fired up to complete that objective next Wednesday.
The other three fixtures this week ended with the same 6-2 scoreline with one having an impact on league positions. That saw Denby Dale beat Almondbury BC to leapfrog them in the table and go 5th and with their final two matches against the bottom two teams they could go even higher. Jackson Bridge may have something to say about that and after a bye next week will know their target the following Wednesday. A 6-2 win over Huddersfield Recreation Club this week for Jackson Bridge put them in prime position to finish the season in the top half of the table with their team rotation system working well for them again this week.
Thorpe Green completed the trio of 6-2 scorelines when beating Paddock I&C and 3 more points from their final two fixtures will see them assured of avoiding the second relegation place.
Congratulations to Meltham fully deserved.