Grantham 1 are back. Grantham ruled the roost with 10 League titles between 2010 and 2020. The break-up of the team led by Nigel Birtwistle coincided with the Covid epidemic. Shorn of their championship players, Grantham 1 appeared in and won Division 3 in 2021-22. Last season they were promoted back to Division 1 as runners-up to Nomads 1.Their first steps have been faltering, but their win this week over Nomads, and their line-up was impressive. Players who were part of their last title win have returned. Nomads are left still seeking their first points in D1. The Grantham line-up (which admittedly ‘bombed’ against Mansfield) will cause teams immediately ahead of them to look nervously over their shoulders.
Divisions 2 and 3 look very open this year. In D2 Beeston 1 defeat Grantham 2. West Notts 1 and Ashfield 1 draw. No team looks likely to run away from the rest. Radcliffe & Bingham continue to do well with wins for R&B2 and 3. West Bridgford 3 defeat Nomads 3. Other games drawn.