Top test for New Mill B this Tuesday

Winter League

Preview of the Division 2 fixtures to be played on Tuesday at Cowcliffe Liberal Club

Clayton West have made a strong start to their Division 2 campaign to return to the top division and will not expect to be fully stretched by a Meltham team that is struggling to adjust to life after relegation from Division 1 last season. They have only collected two points from their four matches to date and Tuesday's meeting will be a severe test of where they currently rank. In contrast the Clayton West have only had one setback and that was their last match when the were held to a draw by Lowerhouses B. They will be keen to maximise their chances of a big win to hold off the challenge of second-placed New Mill B.

The New Mill B team are a bit of a surprise package after a late run of 5 straight wins last year doubled their points total to squeeze home as the Division 3 Champions. They have settled well into life in Division 2 as shown by last week's win over Marsh United which pushed them into the promotion places. A stern test awaits them this Tuesday as they take on a Lowerhouses A side intent on returning to the top division and they really need to win this Tuesday to add credibility to their bid.

Marsh United finished last season in third position in Division 2 but some distance behind the two promoted teams. Last week's defeat to New Mill B was a setback to their hopes of joining in the promotion race and anything less than a big win against Milnsbridge A will highlight the need to ramp up their game if they really are to feature in a promotion challenge.

The meeting of Lowerhouses B and Lindley Lib A sees two teams working hard to stay out of the reaches of the bottom two teams. Last season there was a two-division difference in the standings of these two teams and neither have fully come to terms with their new status. The loser of this fixture will fear for their future standing with good reason.