Top 4 teams clash in Division 3

Winter League

Preview of the Divisions 3&5 fixtures for Wednesday 21 January

The top four teams in Division 3 play each other this week in key fixtures that could determine the outcome of the promotion race. The top two take on the third and fourth placed opponents with only three matches left to play so any shift in the order could be pivotal in the outcome of the promotion places.

The leaders are Almondbury BC B and they have to play Lindley Lib B. Last season these two teams were playing at very different levels with the Lindley team in Division 2 and the Almondbury side playing in Division 6. The Lindley Lib team won this fixture earlier in the season but are on a run of five matches without a win so will need to step up a gear if they are to get anything out of this match.

The other top level encounter pitches Slaithwaite against Denby Dale with both teams on runs of only one win in their last four matches, hardly promotion form. In both these fixtures the 3rd and 4th placed teams need to record big wins if they are to resurrect hopes of promotion being 10 points off a promotion place with only three matches still to be played.

Things are even tighter at the foot of the table with the bottom two teams going head-to-head as Lindley BC B try and chip away at the 6 point difference there is betwen them and Lockwood Con A. The Lockwood team have turned around their hopes of survival after winning their last two matches, the latest being an inspired 8-0 win over Denby Dale. That places Springwood A under threat unless they can match the Lockwood result when they take on Thorpe Green C.

The thing about only have 8 teams in each division means that almost all the teams have a vested interest in results at one end of the table every week. This week is no different in Divisions 3 and 5 as few teams can declare that they are secure in mid-table comfort.

The Division 5 fixture programme may have created an opening for Mirfield Old Bank to put some daylight between themselves and Mirfield A at the top of the table. The leaders have a match against bottom of the table, Kirkheaton C&BC A, whereas the 2nd placed Mirfield A team have to face 3rd in the table Jackson Bridge. When these two teams met earlier in the season it resulted ina 4-4 draw which would suit Mirfield Old Bank ideally and open up an opportunity to widen the current two-points gap there is between the top two teams.

At the other end Thorpe Green B really need a win this week to ease their relegation fears as they take on Paddock I&C. Being 4 points from safety they will be looking at the Dalton result when they play Milnsbridge C with special interest but that will mean little if they don't win their own match first.