As the evening light begins to draw in and the sun's power is somewhat diminished, this can only mean one thing, we are in the last knockings of the cricket season. But what a season it has been, dominated by the ever present sun who turned outfields into barren wildernesses, and where covers offered protection from its power and not for what they were designed for. Groundsmen have toiled to prepare wickets to play on and all credit to their diligence, working with the elements against them as many did rain dances around their beloved squares. The forecast for the upcoming week is foreboding and surely, after such a summer, we are not to be denied an exciting climax by the other end of the meteorological spectrum
However, here we are. Three weeks to go and still many things to be decided, be they promotion or relegation.
The Premiership title has been decided with Hoylandswaine beating all before them and surely, they will be keen to maintain this record to the end. Scholes and Moorlands have put up valiant fights but the gap between them and the winners only goes to emphasise a Swaine dominance.
The relegation issue is still wide open although Armitage Bridge totter on the rim of the trap door, whereas Mirfield Parish, Golcar and The Wes battle not to accompany them. The Bridge still have their part to play in the battle as two of their adversaries in the remaining matches are both Golcar and Mirfield Parish. It looks like this will go to the last weekend.
The Championship is equally enthralling with Barkisland as good as promoted, returning to the Premiership after only one season. A mere five points separate the next four clubs with Marsden one point ahead of Thongsbridge who have the same gap over Slaithwaite, with Kirkheaton desperately hanging on just three points further back. Barkisland have the prospect of not only being kings but king makers as two of their last three fixtures are against Marsden and Slaithwaite respectively. This, perhaps, puts Thongsbridge, another side looking for an early Premiership return, in the box seat as two of their remaining fixtures see them take on both Meltham and Hall Bower who both seemed destined to Championship cricket next season as the gap to safety is now a mammoth thirteen points.
The Conference is once again a puzzle wrapped up in an enigma. Hoylandswaine second team have again emerged as champions having only lost one of the matches this season. As we are aware Swaine are prevented from being promoted which opens the gate to the teams below. Linthwaite currently occupy second place and look to return to the Championship from which they were relegated for not meeting ECB directives. Two points behind them are Holmfirth with a further six to Emley who cannot be ruled out of the equation. Should Linthwaite be deemed to still not have reached the ECB directives then we could have a situation where the teams that finished third and fourth are promoted. Linthwaite will battle on and hope that they have done enough given that they are the only side to have beaten a Hoylandswaine team to date in a league match. The relegation battle is as equally enthralling with, for the second year running, Thurstonland awaking from their early season malaise to put up a real fight to remain in the section. Mirfield will play Alliance cricket next term with either Thurstonland or Skelmanthorpe's second team joining them. The gap is only one point and surely this will be a last day biting nails scenario.
Flockton are the latest ex Central League team to make their way into top three sections cricket as they have amassed over one hundred points in the Alliance with Kirkburton second team looking likely to join them. The relegation issue is between Edgerton and Almondbury with Linthwaite already condemned to their fate. Only a point separates the two with Linthwaite's visit to Edgerton on the last day looking key.
Alliance two sees Shepley seconds likely to go up along with one of either Mirfield Parish seconds or Golcar seconds. Relegation looks assured for both second teams at Edgerton and Broad Oak.
Alliance three finds Marsden seconds, like their firsts attempting to get promotion which seems likely alongside one of either Birkby or Lascelles Hall. The foot, and the battle for survival, is between Meltham, the much troubled Denby Grange and Denby Dale. Six points is the blanket covering these three with still all to play for.
Finally, Alliance four is a mirror image for Flockton second team with their firsts as they top the table and should be promoted alongside Earnshaw Cup finalists Cartworth Moor
Three games left and still lots to sort out. Let us hope that the weather gods do not intervene and we reach a conclusion to the season which is decided on the field and not in the dressing rooms.
Thanks to Andrew Crawshaw for this article
