This week sees the start of the 2025 Team Ko trophy, and with what appears to be one of the most competitive leagues in a number of years, it certainly looks to be a tight competition.
The victors over two legs will advance to the main event, while the losers will still have an opportunity to achieve glory in the plate event.
Notably, there are four new teams this year, although three of them feature players who have been in the league before.
Prince of Wales ‘B’ v Strawberry Duck
The Prince ‘B’ is full of experienced players who are used to the pressures of Team Ko, but does that mean they could be overconfident or complacent? Something they really can’t afford to be against a strong new team. The Strawberry Duck has proven they are a decent team finding their feet, and I am sure they will be looking forward to their chances here.
The Buxton v Waggon & Horses ‘B’
The Buxton will be looking at this fixture as a way into the Main Team Ko. They have a year’s experience now, and the Waggon ‘B’ doesn’t seem to have gotten going yet. There are good players in both teams and, more importantly, both with experience and skill. The Waggon ‘B’ probably does probably have more experience, especially with league veteran Carol Cheffings. The Buxton, though, is full of enthusiasm, so they’ll be looking forward to this.
Studio Bar v Clayton Con Club
Last season Team Ko’s finals night felt strange to me as I refereed the main final. Why, well, because there was no studio there for their first absence on finals night in, I think, seven years. They will rightly be favourites in this match. However, Clayton has made a good, solid start and will be looking to cause an upset. Chris, as Studio captain, will be determined to get the team back to where they feel they belong, and that’s finals night. Clayton just needs to look at this as a big opportunity. If they managed to win over two legs, that would certainly be a coup on their part.
Steelworks Tavern v Prince of Wales
This one is a match of last year’s Team Ko runners-up, the Steelworks, the plate, and the Prince, the main. This match is sure to be interesting with the Steelworks team being able to evolve over the last few years, but always retaining their quality. The Prince has made a perfect start this season so far, but this is a match that could bite them on the backside.
Gorton Con Club v The Sidings
Gorton Con Club are the reigning main Team Ko champions and will be looking to make a strong start to their title defence this season. The Sidings are currently without captain Dan who is recuperating, which is a big loss, but they have some very experienced league players who will be hoping to give Gorton a real challenge. Gorton has to put their league struggles so far behind them and get back to the way they played last week in this comp to get over the line.
Waggon & Horses v Holdsworth WMC
The Waggoners are resurgent so far this year, showing quality even in close defeats. With a couple of notably experienced additions this year, they have raised their level to that which won them the plate event only a few years ago. Holdsworth WMC haven’t had the easiest of starts, but the team has a couple of very experienced and good players, so they should be looking at this as an opportunity to get their season going.
Strawberry Gardens v Gorton Con Club ‘B’
A match-up that sees two teams that have made a much better start this season than they did last come up against each other at a time when both teams will be feeling fairly confident. The two teams have some very talented players, and I would say this is quite an equal contest. Both of the teams will be hoping to make a good start in the cup.