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1877 SEASON PREVIEW

Champions Westminster are expected to fall short of a successful title defence in the Metropolitan League, with Clapham and Angel expected to do battle for the crown this year. Of the new clubs, Limehouse should fare best but still finish just below half way, with Hammersmith looking likely to end up bottom of the pile. In the Middlesex County League, the widespread expectation is that champions Edmonton will take another crown this year, as they look comfortably the strongest team. Having lost the title to Dartford last year, two-time winners Rochester are overwhelming favourites to take back the crown in the Kent County League, especially having added highly-rated new pitcher Anthony Green to their ranks. Dartford may lead the chasing pack, while Tunbridge Wells could be up near the top of the standings as well after a superb second half to their debut season last time around. At the other end of the county, the new East Kent League looks to be a three-way fight between Ashford, Ramsgate and Canterbury-based team The Buffs, who are the most common pick to take the inaugural title. Kingston will be strong contenders to take a third successive Surrey County League crown, but Reigate may well be the team to stop them as they look to be much improved this year. Romford are favourites to defend their Essex County League championship, but Pig Alley seem sure to run them close while Barking should also not be far away.

Few expect Belle Vue to defend the Manchester and District League championship, as they are widely backed to end with a losing record this time. Runners-up Oldham should go close again, as should Irwell, but the title might go to either Bury or former champions Miles Platting, who look tough to separate. Having ended the run of five-time winners Liverpool St Patrick’s last year, Linacre will be in the running to retain the Liverpool and District League crown but face strong competition from Great Float, who are many people’s tip to take the title this time around. Wigan also look to be strong contenders, while there is much debate as to whether St Helens can improve on their dreadful performance last year. In the Lancashire County League, newcomers Barrow are considered possible challengers to champions Blackburn, who look certain to go close to retaining their title. Former winners Over Darwen will be in the race too, while the other new team Lancaster look more likely to be near the bottom of the standings.

This year’s Leeds and Bradford League championship race looks as wide open as any league has ever been, with all ten teams considered by some to have a realistic chance of taking the title. The two Bradford clubs, Bradford Beck and Bowling Old Lane, are the most common picks alongside Woodhouse Lane, but Hunslet and reigning champions Leeds Central will be close as well. Rule nobody out though, as we look forward to a fascinating battle. Doncaster’s reign as Sheffield and District League champions ended with a dreadful run at the end of last season but they look to be strong contenders again this time around, with Worksop well backed to have a much better season along with Holmes Tail. Champions Sheffield Philadelphia may struggle to repeat their successes of last year. Champions Derwent will battle with both Hull clubs in the Yorkshire County League, with West of Hull many people’s favourites despite falling away badly after a good start to the inaugural season a year ago. No team looks to be too far out of contention in an evenly matched league. In the Tyne and Wear League, champions Wearmouth and runners-up Newcastle will both contend again but it might be Sunderland Blue House who surprise them both, as their pitching looks to be especially strong this time around.

In the Birmingham and District League, lots of observers are picking Walsall as likely winners this year, although two-time champions Dudley will be one of a group looking to chase them. Other contenders could include Aston, Edgbaston and Birmingham Main Line, with Bilston not far away again and the Old Wulfrunians looking much improved. This looks likely to be the last season as an amateur competition for the Birmingham and District League, with professionalism having been narrowly rejected last year but the weight of opinion moving in that direction. In the Bristol and District League, only Bath look to be out of the running ahead of a close race and while champions Weston super Mare are many people’s favourites, Avon and Arno’s Castle are sure to run them especially close. The Derby and Nottingham League is too close to call with any confidence but Midland Loco look to be a much stronger team this time around and could battle city rivals and reigning champions Derby Union at the top of the standings. Trent Bridge also look much better than a year ago, while newcomers Newark and Rock Valley Mansfield should not be discounted. Leicester South Fields are looking for a third successive crown in the Leicester and Northampton League and have a chance of getting it, but Loughborough look very strong this year and have a good chance of taking the title away. Tipped to be the inaugural winners of the Staffordshire County League are Hanley Etruria, while Newcastle under Lyme could be their closest challengers although the league looks well matched overall. The Warwickshire County League looks impossible to predict, as Coventry, Nuneaton, Leamington and Warwick all look very closely matched. Strong pitching may make Warwick the slight favourites to be the first champions.

In Scotland, Burgh of Partick lost the Glasgow and District League title to Tail o’ the Bank last year but may well take it back this time, although the reigning champions won’t be far away and a much-improved Govan team may be even stronger challengers. Tollcross look to be a much stronger team this year as well. Having lost a third tiebreaker in four seasons last time around, Arthur’s Seat will go close again in the East of Scotland League, as will reigning champions The Grange and former winners Dunfermline. However, Haymarket are the most common choice to win it this year as they have added new players in several positions and look much improved. Vallum Antonini will surely be the better of the new clubs, with The King’s Knot expected to be near the foot of the standings. Few expect Arbroath to defend the North Caledonian League title, with Dundee-based Firth of Tay seen by many as favourites, with the two Aberdeen teams their most likely challengers.

At the universities, Magdalen are well backed in Oxford, with Merton expected to be hugely improved on last year. Champions New College shouldn’t be too far away either. In Cambridge, Christ’s College look to be much improved on a tough debut season last year and may battle with Emmanuel for the title. Champions Clare have lost many players this year and could find themselves near the foot of the standings, with the same problem facing Gonville & Caius after four successive top two finishes.