2 weeks Ago
THE promotion of Clayton last season has added another layer of intrigue to the ENCO Halifax League season, which starts on Saturday. It will be fascinating to see how the Division One champions, bolstered by former Bradford League players Michael Nicholson, Andrew Deegan, Scott Etherington and David Paynter, fare in the Premier Division. Thornton, who are defending their crown, are favourites, but visit Clayton as early as a week on Saturday, while Illingworth, Booth, Triangle and Upper Hopton, also promoted after finishing two points behind Clayton, hope to have a say too.
Oxenhope and Shelf Northowram Hedge Top might not have such lofty ambitions in the top flight, but Great Horton Park Chapel will certainly have in the division below, having finished third behind Clayton and Upper Hopton in 2024. Oakworth and Cullingworth have stepped up into Division One as two of the four promoted teams, while Queensbury (fifth, missing out by just three points on 166) and Mount (eighth on 156) will be seeking to at least better their 2024 points tally. Clayton v Booth and Thornton v Upper Hopton are the stand-out ties in the first round of the Briggs Priestley Parish Cup on Sunday, May 4.
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