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as5680 · 02-11-2022, 05:36 PM

1875 SEASON PREVIEW

Most observers do not expect Clapham to hold on to their Metropolitan League championship this year, but few would entirely rule them out of what seems sure to be a close race. Having struggled for pitching last year, Kensington are well backed to be much improved this time while Putney, who impressed last year in their first season are also well expected to go close. Last year’s joint runners-up Angel and the Old Westminsters also look sure to be in contention. Other names in the mix are the City of London Club, Greenwich, Hackney and The Regent’s Park. Peckham won’t be far off either, meaning that the Royal Artillery Barracks and the Commercial Dock Workers are the only clubs who do not look to be competitive this time around.

Having won the inaugural Middlesex County League title three years ago, Edmonton are almost universally expected to take another crown this year, with nobody else looking like they will get close. Two-time reigning champions Isleworth may fall back into the pack, and it could be Tottenham who are the closest challengers. The Old Harrovians seem set for another year of struggle, while newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill should at the very least be competitive. The Kent County League looks difficult to call this time, with Bexley Heath and Erith the most common picks as potential winners. Champions Rochester may be a little off the pace, but last season’s runners-up Bromley could be strong contenders. Last year Norwood edged out Croydon to become the first champions of the Surrey County League and the battle may well be between those two again. However, Croydon are the most common tip to come out on top this time. Reigate and Richmond should also be competitive, with Kingston and Wimbledon trailing some distance behind. Forest Gate are the most popular choice to be the first champions of the new Essex County League, with West Ham and Romford their most likely challengers. Barking look most likely to be the weakest team this year.

Manchester and District League champions Miles Platting have an excellent chance of retaining their championship according to most experts, but will face strong challenges from Irwell, Bury and Rochdale. Three-time winners Salford won’t be too far away either, as a closer race than last year seems inevitable. Moss Grove, who finished tied for last two years ago and in last place on their own last season, seem certain to be at the foot of the standings once again as they will struggle for both hitting and pitching. Only Liverpool St Patrick’s have ever won the Liverpool and District League but many feel that run will end this year, with Great Float widely backed to end up on top. St Patrick’s won’t be far away though, and neither will Linacre who took them to a tiebreaker last year. Anfield look the most improved team, while St Helens seem sure to finish last. In the Lancashire County League, the favourites are Ribble who made a wonderful start last season and then fell away badly as the campaign progressed. Their closest rivals seem sure to be Blackburn, as the small town teams of Chorley, Over Darwen and champions Accrington look set to be worse for pitching this time.

The Leeds and Bradford League looks too close to call as Halifax are expected to finish last, but the other nine teams look sure to be very tightly bunched. Champions Bradford will be strong again, as will Leeds, with Dewsbury, Wakefield and Huddersfield the other names mentioned most frequently as potential winners. Hunslet, who arguably should have claimed the crown last year, may have missed their best chance but shouldn’t be too far away this time. Sheffield and District League champions Sanderson’s Weir are not being widely backed to defend their title this year, with many feeling that they will be in the middle of the pack. Strong pitching is making Barnsley favourites in the eyes of many, with previous strugglers Holmes Tail also backed to be much improved. Doncaster, champions two years ago, are widely expected to finish last.

The first season of the Bristol and District League may well see a battle between Bristol side Arno’s Castle and the small town club of Weston super Mare. The former look to have the best hitting line-up and the latter strong pitching, making for a fascinating race. Avon Gorge are the most popular choice to finish last. The Birmingham and District League has been closely fought in both of its previous season and this year will be no different, with champions West Bromwich expected to be well in the race again along with Birmingham Main Line, who faded last time after looking like potential winners for so long. Small Heath lost the title in a tiebreaker last year and will be close again, with Dudley, Edgbaston and Walsall also considered contenders. In the East Midlands, Sherwood and champions Old Basford, who needed a tiebreaker to separate them last season, are both expected to be strong again but it is Midland Loco who are many people’s favourites. They started well but faded badly in last year’s inaugural campaign but seem to be strong in both pitching and hitting this time. Their neighbours Derby Union may well struggle to avoid last place. Leicester South Fields are widely expected to win the inaugural Leicester and Northampton League title, with their city rivals St Margaret’s Pasture tipped to battle with Wellingborough for second place.

In Scotland, Glasgow and District League champions Burgh of Partick are not well fancied to claim a third successive crown, with Tollcross being most people’s pick this year. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank are tipped to have a good season, while the other new team Airdrie are not so well fancied but the performance of their pitcher Bruce Fraser in the Scottish Counties Championship may indicate otherwise. In the East of Scotland League, champions Dunfermline are widely tipped to battle with Fife rivals Kirkcaldy for the championship, with the Edinburgh clubs trailing behind. Arthur’s Seat, who should have won both previous championships but have taken neither after late collapses, may still be the best of the clubs from the capital city.

At the universities, Oxford champions Brasenose are expected to struggle with New College, Christ Church and Wadham backed to battle for the crown. Magdalen shouldn’t be too far back either, while Balliol and St Edmund Hall look to be the weakest teams. In Cambridge, the champions are also not well backed as Trinity look weaker this year, but Clare College may go close to repeating their success of two years ago. Most people’s favourites though are Gonville and Caius, who finished second last year and may well go one better this time around.

02-11-2022, 05:36 PM	#171
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	1875 SEASON PREVIEW Most observers do not expect Clapham to hold on to their Metropolitan League championship this year, but few would entirely rule them out of what seems sure to be a close race. Having struggled for pitching last year, Kensington are well backed to be much improved this time while Putney, who impressed last year in their first season are also well expected to go close. Last year’s joint runners-up Angel and the Old Westminsters also look sure to be in contention. Other names in the mix are the City of London Club, Greenwich, Hackney and The Regent’s Park. Peckham won’t be far off either, meaning that the Royal Artillery Barracks and the Commercial Dock Workers are the only clubs who do not look to be competitive this time around. Having won the inaugural Middlesex County League title three years ago, Edmonton are almost universally expected to take another crown this year, with nobody else looking like they will get close. Two-time reigning champions Isleworth may fall back into the pack, and it could be Tottenham who are the closest challengers. The Old Harrovians seem set for another year of struggle, while newcomers Brentford and Strawberry Hill should at the very least be competitive. The Kent County League looks difficult to call this time, with Bexley Heath and Erith the most common picks as potential winners. Champions Rochester may be a little off the pace, but last season’s runners-up Bromley could be strong contenders. Last year Norwood edged out Croydon to become the first champions of the Surrey County League and the battle may well be between those two again. However, Croydon are the most common tip to come out on top this time. Reigate and Richmond should also be competitive, with Kingston and Wimbledon trailing some distance behind. Forest Gate are the most popular choice to be the first champions of the new Essex County League, with West Ham and Romford their most likely challengers. Barking look most likely to be the weakest team this year. Manchester and District League champions Miles Platting have an excellent chance of retaining their championship according to most experts, but will face strong challenges from Irwell, Bury and Rochdale. Three-time winners Salford won’t be too far away either, as a closer race than last year seems inevitable. Moss Grove, who finished tied for last two years ago and in last place on their own last season, seem certain to be at the foot of the standings once again as they will struggle for both hitting and pitching. Only Liverpool St Patrick’s have ever won the Liverpool and District League but many feel that run will end this year, with Great Float widely backed to end up on top. St Patrick’s won’t be far away though, and neither will Linacre who took them to a tiebreaker last year. Anfield look the most improved team, while St Helens seem sure to finish last. In the Lancashire County League, the favourites are Ribble who made a wonderful start last season and then fell away badly as the campaign progressed. Their closest rivals seem sure to be Blackburn, as the small town teams of Chorley, Over Darwen and champions Accrington look set to be worse for pitching this time. The Leeds and Bradford League looks too close to call as Halifax are expected to finish last, but the other nine teams look sure to be very tightly bunched. Champions Bradford will be strong again, as will Leeds, with Dewsbury, Wakefield and Huddersfield the other names mentioned most frequently as potential winners. Hunslet, who arguably should have claimed the crown last year, may have missed their best chance but shouldn’t be too far away this time. Sheffield and District League champions Sanderson’s Weir are not being widely backed to defend their title this year, with many feeling that they will be in the middle of the pack. Strong pitching is making Barnsley favourites in the eyes of many, with previous strugglers Holmes Tail also backed to be much improved. Doncaster, champions two years ago, are widely expected to finish last. The first season of the Bristol and District League may well see a battle between Bristol side Arno’s Castle and the small town club of Weston super Mare. The former look to have the best hitting line-up and the latter strong pitching, making for a fascinating race. Avon Gorge are the most popular choice to finish last. The Birmingham and District League has been closely fought in both of its previous season and this year will be no different, with champions West Bromwich expected to be well in the race again along with Birmingham Main Line, who faded last time after looking like potential winners for so long. Small Heath lost the title in a tiebreaker last year and will be close again, with Dudley, Edgbaston and Walsall also considered contenders. In the East Midlands, Sherwood and champions Old Basford, who needed a tiebreaker to separate them last season, are both expected to be strong again but it is Midland Loco who are many people’s favourites. They started well but faded badly in last year’s inaugural campaign but seem to be strong in both pitching and hitting this time. Their neighbours Derby Union may well struggle to avoid last place. Leicester South Fields are widely expected to win the inaugural Leicester and Northampton League title, with their city rivals St Margaret’s Pasture tipped to battle with Wellingborough for second place. In Scotland, Glasgow and District League champions Burgh of Partick are not well fancied to claim a third successive crown, with Tollcross being most people’s pick this year. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank are tipped to have a good season, while the other new team Airdrie are not so well fancied but the performance of their pitcher Bruce Fraser in the Scottish Counties Championship may indicate otherwise. In the East of Scotland League, champions Dunfermline are widely tipped to battle with Fife rivals Kirkcaldy for the championship, with the Edinburgh clubs trailing behind. Arthur’s Seat, who should have won both previous championships but have taken neither after late collapses, may still be the best of the clubs from the capital city. At the universities, Oxford champions Brasenose are expected to struggle with New College, Christ Church and Wadham backed to battle for the crown. Magdalen shouldn’t be too far back either, while Balliol and St Edmund Hall look to be the weakest teams. In Cambridge, the champions are also not well backed as Trinity look weaker this year, but Clare College may go close to repeating their success of two years ago. Most people’s favourites though are Gonville and Caius, who finished second last year and may well go one better this time around.