With a third of the season gone, the league games return after last weekend’s rather damp Winston Cup 20/20 group stages. However, with heavy rain forecast, fingers will be crossed throughout the YDCL that the fickle vagaries of the so-called ‘English summer’ will provide an unexpected, but most welcome reprieve.
Division One
The top match in Division One this weekend is at Warminster Road, where University Staff play host to leaders Parkhead. The visitors will no doubt be emboldened by the return of Will Helliwell, whereas Staff are slowly but surely moving through the table. Second placed Stocksbridge travel out to bottom club Calver, who desperately need a win. As do Centralians, second bottom and facing a trip to Beauchief to play De La Salle. Defending champions Holmesfield also need a win to kick start their defence. Hathersage are the visitors to Millthorpe. In the final match Hollinsend, fresh from doing the double over the champions, will look to keep up their good form against Hundall, who need a win to keep them well away from the bottom.
Division Two
The leaders Civil Service are visited by Bakewell and second placed Apperknowle travel over to Ashford. Two potentially tricky fixtures against steady, solid opponents. Grindleford, in third, also have a difficult game away at Ridgeway. Parkhead II entertain the ebullient Weston Park and in the last fixture, it’s a basement battle between two teams who were expected to be at the other end of the table as Baslow have a home game against Dronfield Woodhouse.
Division Three
It’s third plays first as Collegiate IV are visited by Totley Sports and also second pitted against fourth with Whittington Wanderers hosting University Staff II. With just 3 points separating the top four, these are vital games even with just a third of the season played. Bottom club Zingari have Hollinsend Methodists II come to Graves Park, Stocksbridge II go out to Hallam III and Millhouses Works III play host to Transport.
Division Four
Totley Sports II are at Coal Aston and expect to maintain their lead in the Division. Hard on their heels and with a game in hand are De L Salle II, who go to Olive Grove Road to play Centralians II. Third placed Stocksbridge III make the long trip to Chesterfield Barbarians II and will hope for victory to keep them challenging the top two. Lurking just behind Stocksbridge are Medics, who have a game in hand and go to lowly Richmond. Youlgrave Lodge are winless and face a tough assignment at Walkley. Shardlow Sports have a visit from TRS, both teams will look to improve their current positions in mid-table.
Division Five
There are 4 teams within 15 points of top team Hundall II, who have one of those – Civil Service II, come to the Miners arms. Second placed Chesterfield Barbarians III travel up to Apperknowle II, whilst at Collegiate V, looking good value for their third spot in the table, fifth placed Baslow II come a-visiting. Basement team Ridgeway II are at Hathersage II, who despite just being able to play one game due to the horrid weather, find themselves climbing up the table. Apperknowle III are the hosts for Woodhouse, whilst Hallam IV have a visit from Ashford II.
Mark Simmerson
Recent Forum Posts
Sections
Categories