Division 1
Cringlewood A vs The Roebuck. Promoted from Division 2 in second place, the Roebuck start off against last season’s SMD KO Shield Winners, and sixth-placed finishers Cringlewood A. The Roebuck had a relatively easy time of it in the cup last week but will need to be on their game on their return to 5 leg league fixtures in the top division.
John Alker vs The Nelson (Didsbury) It’s fifth versus second from last season when the Nelson make the short trip to the Alker. Both quality sides, this one could go either way.
Wythenshawe CSC vs The Victoria (Withington) For the second season on the trot, the Vic start their season with a trip to Wythenshawe CSC. The fourth-placed finishing Vic will hope for a repeat of last season’s close win in the season opener, whilst being aware that third-placed finishers Wythenshawe returned the favour in the reverse fixture at the Vic. Too close to call.
Ammies Darts vs Timperley CC. The league Champions take on 7th-placed finishing Timperley, however, don’t let that make you think it won’t be a close-fought battle. Arguably the tie of the night, Timperley have signed on a host of quality players in a bid to improve on last season’s finish. I don’t have enough space on this server to list all the newcomers, but adding players of the ability of Chris Stone, Callum Loose, Andy Pearson and Kev Lane should ensure this match and probably the title race, is a close run affair.
Broadheath Central, the promoted Division 2 Champions, have a bye in the league this week, which will be annoying after the rearranged cup tie last week. They will no doubt be looking forward to getting their return to the top division underway on the 25th of October.
Division 2
This season’s SMD Division 2 is last season’s Kenny Tong Division 1. How times change. games are now best-of-five legs, with a single leg gallon of 1001.
LMRCA vs Cringlewood B. Newly relegated Cringlewood B will be hoping for a repeat of their previous appearance in Division 2 in the Winter 22/23 season – which ended with promotion to Division 1. They get their season underway with a visit to LMRCA who finished 5th in Division 2 in the Summer.
Urmston SC vs St Antony’s. Division 3 runners-up Urmston SC will aim to continue their good form when they host Division 2’s seventh-placed team St Antony’s.
Trafford SC vs The Silver Birch. Trafford Social finished just a couple of points and a place higher (in sixth) than St Antony’s, and will begin their season by welcoming the Division 3 Champions The Silver Birch (formerly Royal Oak Chorlton B).
Carters Arms vs The Royal Oak (Chorlton). The Carters finished the Division 2 season in fourth with 7 wins and 7 losses from their 14 games, with 49 legs won and 49 legs lost. For some reason that appeals to my symmetry OCD. Royal Oak finished in third, just outside the promotion places, and will be hoping to go one better in the coming season.
After getting a bye in the Prelim round of the Cup last week, Ashton-on-Mersey Cricket Club are yet again not in action this week with another bye. It would appear they are having an extended recharge on a beach somewhere, following relegation from Division 1 in the Summer League.
Division 3
Malt Shovels vs The Melville. The Malt Shovels will be ruing the financial irregularities of subs-gate which cost them valuable league points on the way to a third-place finish in Division 3. League newcomers The Melville, got off to a strong start in the cup last week and will be looking for more of the same.
Excelsior WMC vs The Bent Brook. Excel has a season to forget with one win and a last-place finish in Division 2. They will hope for better against new-to-the-league The Bent Brook. The Brook will be assisted by former top-flight individuals champion Gaz O’Donnell, and get their league debut underway at the second attempt following oche-gate in the cup last week.
Bulls Head vs Wythenshawe FC. Fourth-placed finishing Wythenshawe FC face a season without last season’s Kenny Tong Individuals champion Callum Loose and get the season underway with a visit to Hale Barns’ fifth-placed Bulls Head.
Old Market Tavern vs Stretfordians. The only way is up for both sides, but especially Stretfordians, who ended the season in last place in Division 3 with no wins in any of their games. OMT finished just a place higher in 7th, although 18 points better off.
All games will take place on Wednesday 18th October with a start time of 8:30pm.
As a reminder, the faster that teams get their results posted (with all stats) the faster I’ll be able to get the tables and stats updated, and get a review done. For any teams who don’t submit stats before midday on Saturday there will only be a brief and probably somewhat sarcastic write-up :).