Pressure mounts in race for title

Mar 14 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

EVERY game is starting to assume even greater significance for four Huddersfield Pennine League sides.

With Emley Moor and Newsome Panthers and at the heart of the Second Division title race and Slaithwaite Saracens and Lindley Swifts battling it out for the Division III crown, the clubs can’t afford to slip up now.

And the quartet will be desperate to maintain momentum tomorrow in games they know they really have to win.

The second-placed Panthers should record a 12th win of the season at home to Calder Valley, while third-placed Emley will have to be wary of the threat at fourth-placed Thornhill Trojans.

Moor have a game in hand on Newsome and leaders Wyke – who have a far superior points difference – and if they win their remaining seven fixtures, they will be champions.

Leaders Slaithwaite will move another step closer to their title with a widely-predicted win at home to Odsal Sedbergh, but third-placed Lindley could benefit the most from any Saracens’ slip and will expect to keep up the pressure with victory at Hoyland Vikings.

There’s pressure of a different kind on St Joseph’s, who could still do with another win to guarantee their Premier Division survival.

And if they maintain the form they showed in losing narrowly to title-chasing Sharlston a week ago, that could be achieved at Clayton this weekend.

In Division I, mid-table Moldgreen will be eyeing a seventh win of the campaign at home to Dodworth, while in Division IV, Meltham entertain Hollinwood and Underbank travel to Stainland Stags.

And in Division VI, St Joseph’s A are at home to Greetland A.