RACE FOR THE PREMIER DIVISION WIDE OPEN

Date: 27th August 2014

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

Cockbain's men ahead of a pack of four

Over the past decade the battle to be promoted from the First Division has been the most closely fought in the Med Imaging Liverpool Competition. Recollections can be misty, of course, but it seems to me that as we meander towards each September I have often been writing about how two or more clubs are competing for one or two places, and that the struggle has only been marginally less tense when we have had runaway leaders.

The pattern has been repeated in 2014. Indeed, it has become even more pronounced, for it is perfectly possible for five teams to be in contention going into the last Saturday of the season, when, by an exquisite quirk of the Bagillt bingo, two of the matches will feature four of the challengers.

As it stands the top of the table reads: Formby 252pts, Highfield 248, Rainford 243, Wigan 239, Colwyn Bay 228. The quintet have been kept apart this coming Saturday – a situation that presents skippers with challenges of its own, of course – but then Formby host Highfield on September 6th and the Cricket Path team travel to Rainford on September 13th. And on the final day of the league season, Colwyn Bay entertain Highfield while Formby welcome Wigan.

Of course, one or two of the teams may have dropped out of contention by September 20th but it still a beguiling prospect in the last week of August, and a very different one for Ian Cockbain, who has hitherto been accustomed to playing in the Premier League, where second was, as they say, nowhere.

“I think it will be very difficult for Colwyn Bay,” said the former Bootle skipper, “but there are certainly four of us vying for two places. If we beat Wavertree on Saturday, our destiny is in our own hands.”

“Of course, it’s nothing like Bootle,” he continued, “because at Formby we have a gang of young lads and a couple of experienced players. We haven’t really got a run of victories together and inconsistency has always been round the corner. I’ve very much enjoyed the season but it’s also been frustrating because we’ve been making the same mistakes. However, we are seeing some green shoots now and we are getting better.”

Elsewhere the challenges have been rather different. Rainford, Colwyn Bay and Highfield, for example, will be aiming to return to the division from which they were relegated relatively recently and Rainford’s attempt to finish in the top two was given a fillip last Sunday when they defeated Liverpool after drawing against Newton-le-Willows on Saturday.

“We have a young side here and are pleased with the season so far,” said Rainford secretary Ian Harrison. “Joe Noctor with the bat and John Dotters with the ball have both done well, and although our form tailed off prior to last weekend, we are set for an exciting run in.”