Relegation Countdown in Division 8

Winter League

The second of our four Countdown postings looks at the bottom four teams in Division 8 where four points separate the four teams dicing with the fear of relegation. We look at the remaining four fixtures to try and tease out the two bankers to drop through the relegation trapdoor. Don't take this too seriously or personally, it is just a bit of fun with some logic behind the forecasts which you may or may not agree with.

The current Division 8 League table shows why I have selected to focus on the bottom of the Division fall-out with four teams within four points of each other so logically any two of those four could face the end of season drop in status.

The chart below identifies the four remaining fixtures for the four teams in fear of relegation. I am immediately ignoring any claims the other teams may have to featuring in that battle although I could also add another team from the bottom four who will not be relegated this season - Golcar C&BC.

They won the Division 8 Champions title last season but for logistical reasons declined promotion to remain in Division 8 for this season playing every Tuesday. That cost them a -20points penalty which they have already overcome to find themselves on the move up and likely to move even higher before the season ends. If you add that lost 20 points that would give the Golcar team a total of 48 points which would put them third in the table. So whilst they feature in this countdown exercise I cannot take any serious suggestion that they are relegation material.

Looking at the claims of all contenders to the drop shows that three teams have to play top three opponents. One team - Meltham B - have only one match against a top three team. yet that one team is the current leaders, Hemplow, who none of the other teams have on their end of season run-ins. Cowcliffe C are the only team looking at two fixtures against bottom three opposition which presents them with the best chance of picking up a few points. But Cowcliffe C and Linthwaite Hall B are the two teams four points behind the other two strugglers.

Cowcliffe C have only won three matches this season but that included two major scalps. The leaders, Hemplow and 2025 Champions, Gocar C&BC, so showing their potential. Meltham B have won 2 of their last 3 fixtures to ease themselves out of the relegation places and probably have the easiest run-in in their four-match programme.

I cannot find enough points-winning opportunities for either of the bottom two to see them overcoming that 4 points deficit so I am afraid I am backing the bottom two, Cowcliffe C and Linthwaite Hall B to stay in the dropzone and live to fight another day but in Division 9 next season.