When is a Top 2 clash not a Top 2 clash?

Winter League

Preview of the Wednesday fixtures in Divisions 3&5

This Wednesday the Division 3 leaders,Slaithwaite, meet a Denby Dale team sat in 4th place despite having a 10-point Decline Promotion penalty. Ignore that penalty and they would be 4-points clear at the top of the table. So this is a top two clash in all but name and it is the biggest game either team has played so far this season.

It really is crunchtime at the bottom of Division 3 as the bottom three teams are already seriously adrift of a safe place. When the bottom two in that trio face each other the intensity grows and that is what we have this Wednesday when Lindley BC B play Lockwood Con A. With just two points between them at present, the losing team will be fixed to the foot of the table as we approach the halfway point of the season. The third team in trouble is Springwood A and they play the team above them, Thorpe Green C, but there is a 12-point gap between the teams and the Thorpe Green team have only lost once this season and that was to the leaders, Slaithwaite.

Almondbury BC B didn't win for the first time this season when drawing 4-4 with Thorpe Green C last week and will be keen to return to winning ways and maybe return to the top of the table spot that they relinquished on Aggregate Difference last week.

There is a big game at the top of the Division 5 table with the teams in 2nd and 3rd positions going up against each other. Two points separate Mirfield A and Jackson Bridge as both have unbeaten records and they meet each other this Wednesday. The leaders, Mirfield Old Bank will have more than a passing interest in the outcome and will be looking to maximise their response by beating Kirkheaton C&BC A.

Matters could remeain very tight in the other two Division 5 matches as Paddock I&C play bottom of the pile Thorpe Green B and Milnsbridge C play Dalton.