Teams on a tightrope of ecstacy and despair
AS we begin the 14th round of the ‘Master Lock & Safe’ Southport and District Badminton League, some teams are just one win or loss away from the delights of promotion to the disappointment of relegation.
After a tough start to life in the Fifth Division, the chance of three consecutive promotions for Crosby now looks a possibility.
A 7-1 win at mid-table side Southport VI, makes it six straight wins for Crosby, which includes a 6-2 win against current leaders Burscough Pioneers IV.
At the bottom, the double relegation for Southsands fourth and fifth teams is slowly becoming an unfortunate reality.
There was an almighty contest in the bottom half of the Fourth Division. Formby II secured a winning draw against Tarleton III by a narrow four points. That win now puts them level on points. But with Formby having a game in hand, escape from relegation is in their hands.
At the top, it is ten out of ten so far for leaders Southport IV as they made light work of third place St. Cuthberts II with a 7-1 win.
It is six points between the top four in the highly competitive seventh division. Leaders Southport VIII suffered a slight set-back after a winning draw against their ninth team.
That result has brought three teams back into contention of winning this division. But it seems, the opportunity was too much for two teams. Crosby II and Formby Methodist III both came out with losing draws against Ormskirk IV and Churchtown V respectively. However, Hesketh Bank III defeated Southsands VII and are now one point behind the leaders.
At the top, First Division leaders Wood- vale claimed a crucial three points as they defeated current champions Churchtown 5-3 to maintain their sixpoint lead over second place Victoria Hall. Despite being third in the table, this was Churchtown’s first match to come away with no points. With three losing draws to their name this season, this has put a dampener on their chances of retaining the Championship Shield.
While Division Two leaders Woodvale II and Victoria Hall III still yet to clash, their impressive unbeaten records remain un-tarnished.
At the bottom, eighth placed side Ormskirk lost a 3-1 lead to end up being ousted by mid-table side Woodvale III. That missed opportunity still gives St. Cuthberts a chance to over-take them and escape the last relegation spot that they currently occupy.
It was top versus bottom in division three and it went to form as leaders Southsands defeated Burscough Pioneers III 7-1. Hesketh Bank’s aim of fight- ing for promotion took a step back after they suffered a surprise 6-2 loss against Formby who have begun pulling away from a possible relegation battle.
Division six saw Southport VII whitewash strugglers Tarleton IV 8-0 and become within one win of not only promotion, but the division title.
There were also wins for mid-table sides St. Cuthberts IV and Mawdesley V.
Lastly, I must apologise for an incorrect result in my previous article. Seventh Division leaders Southport VIII did not lose 7-1 to St. Cuthberts V.
It was the right score but the wrong result.
Next week, it is back to the cups. The Watkinson Trophy has reached its fourth round stage and it is the round two of the Shield competitions.
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