MONTHLY ROUND-UP: MAY 1871
Greenwich Meridian are back out in front of the Metropolitan League after a strong month which saw them defeat fellow contenders the Old Westminsters and The Regent’s Park. Indeed, that win over the Westminsters which began the month made all the difference because the Westminsters are just a fraction behind in second place having won all of their other games in May. The Royal Artillery Barracks sit a game further behind, but Angel and the Regents are losing ground. Angel suffered three defeats in their four games in May, while the Regents ended the month losing against both Greenwich and the Artillery. Both those teams sit two games off the pace, while three back on an even record are Peckham, who are enjoying a respectable first season. Champions the City of London Club are a long way back having lost two of three in May, while at the bottom of the standings Clapham have now lost their last nine and have just one win from eleven games all year.
St Helens and Toxteth share first place in the Liverpool and District League, in what seems set to be a close three-way battle. St Helens began the month with two defeats, only to recover with a 2-0 win at Toxteth to regain a share of first place. Liverpool St Patrick’s had been tied for first as well, but their thirteen-inning loss against Great Float in the final game of May dropped them one game behind the two leaders. Great Float are certainly improving but still have a losing record, while Linacre and Sankey continue to struggle. Sankey lost all their games in May and are currently well adrift in last place.
The only undefeated team anywhere in England is Rochdale, who are moving well ahead at the top of the Manchester and District League standings. They have now won all eight games they have played, while Oldham have fallen well behind after losing three out of four in the past month. Oldham are nevertheless the only other team with a winning record, as champions Salford lost their last two games of the month to fall back to an even four wins and four defeats. It was an improved month for both Irwell and Stockport, but Moss Grove and Belle Vue both won only once in May and are well back in a tie for last place.
In the Leeds and Bradford League, Bowling Old Lane lead the way after winning their first three games of May, including victory over city rivals Bradford. Bowling ended the month with a narrow loss to Leeds Central however, and it is Leeds who are in the best form as they won all four of their games in May without allowing a single run. They trail Bowling by a fraction, while Bradford fell a game behind when they ended the month by losing 2-1 against Hunslet. Halifax are next in line as they too won all their games in May, their poor start a fading memory. At the bottom of the standings, Huddersfield have just one win to their name while Woodhouse Lane are only just ahead of them having lost every game in May and their last six in total.
With five games to play Brasenose are well placed to win a second championship at Oxford University, although Balliol are not too far behind and the two are set to meet in their first game of June. Victory for Brasenose would move them to the brink of the championship, but a Balliol win would set up a fascinating end to the year. Third placed Worcester College have won their last five but appear to be too far behind. At Cambridge, the race is almost over for this season as a five game winning run, combined with two victories over champions Jesus College during May, has moved Queens’ four games ahead at the top of the standings. Three more wins from their remaining five games will be enough, but it is likely that even that will not be needed.
