MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MAY 1872
The Regent’s Park look increasingly like the champions of the Metropolitan League in waiting as they completed an undefeated month and extended their advantage in the standings to three games. That was despite a change of pitcher, as former star Mark Howe returned after more than a year having recovered from a bad injury. He returned with a fine performance in the 3-1 victory against Clapham, and although it is tough for stand-in George Upshaw to lose the position, Howe is clearly the first choice once again. The Regents’ lead has grown because Greenwich and Hackney, who are tied for second place, could only manage two wins and two defeats each, while champions the Old Westminsters had a win, a defeat and two games postponed.
Champions Irwell still have a lead in the Manchester and District League, but after an eight game run their winning streak came to an end against Salford in the final game of May. That brought Salford level with Rochdale and newcomers Miles Platting, who also both lost their final games of the month, in a three-way tie for second place. The reigning champions also lead the way in the Leeds and Bradford League, but Bowling Old Lane now have company in first place after a surprise loss to lowly Hunslet in their final game of the month. They are joined by Wakefield, as the team from the league’s smallest town won three of their four games in May to move into contention. Having lost 4-0 to Bowling earlier in the month, Woodhouse are a fraction behind in third place, while Halifax are now a game off the pace having lost to both the co-leaders in their last two games.
In the Liverpool and District League, there are less than two games between all six clubs as a tight race seems inevitable, but once again it is the reigning champions leading the way at the moment. Liverpool St Patrick’s scored just two runs in their four games, but still managed two wins and sit fractionally ahead of Great Float, who they meet in their first game of June. Toxteth lost three of four in May but are still only one game back, fractionally ahead of the other three clubs. In the Middlesex County League, early pacesetters the Old Harrovians have been overtaken as they were beaten in each of their last three games in May. Edmonton are the new leaders as they won every game this month, including a dramatic eighteen inning victory over the Harrovians, as they extended their winning run to six in total. Nobody else has a winning record, with Ealing two games off the pace in third on an even five wins and five defeats.
Doncaster Northern are still the leaders of the Sheffield and District League, but their four game winning run was ended by Sanderson’s Weir in the final game of May and it is Weir who have moved clear of the rest of the pack in second place, as they won three of four in the month. Nobody else has a winning record, which means that already it may be down to Weir to chase Doncaster if there is to be a close race. Up in Scotland, a mixed month for Dundashill means that they are now fractionally behind Lanark-Renfrew in the Glasgow and District League, having lost their meeting 2-0. Having started the month losing to Lanark-Renfrew, Tollcross won their remaining three games and are now clear in third place.
The university season is now at the three-quarter mark and Trinity still lead by three games in Oxford. They opened the month with a win over Merton and then won six more games in succession after that, but Merton responded well to stay in touch. They won their next six as well, before both of the leading two ended May with two defeats, allowing newcomers Wadham to edge closer as they sit third, four games off the pace. In Cambridge, it is all much closer with a new team very much at the heart of the race. King’s College have won their last five games, including victories over fellow contenders St Catharine’s and Jesus College, and they currently share first place with Jesus College. St Catharine’s sit one game behind, while Trinity, who have struggled in the championship before this year, have also won their last five and are only two off the pace.
