10 Straight wins for Skel but it nearly wasn't

Veterans League

Review of the Veterans 10-Man League results from Divisions 3,4&5 played on Tuesday 1 July

A big home win for Almondbury Lib, the Division 3 leaders, by 8-1 over Marsh Lib A saw the losers slip two places down to 11th and deep in the relegation fight. The big win of the day came at Brockholes were the club's B team recorded an overwhelming 9-0 scoreline over Holmfirth B. The size of the win was unexpected and that saw the Holmfirth team lose 2nd position and drop down to sixth

That win took the Brockholes team into 3rd place just two points behind the second promotion place now held by Hemplow A after their 8-1 home win over Springwood. A 6-3 home win for Linthwaite Hall over Lockwood Con B saw them move up two places to 4th and Thorpe Green were the only winners in the bottom four as they beat Lindley Lib B 5-4. Slaithwaite's 7-2 home win over bottom-placed Paddock I&C was predictable and they will find things much tougher next Tuesday when they travel to play the leaders Almondbury Lib.

A 10th straight win for Division 4 leaders Skel Windmill took their 100% winning record into double figures at Milnsbridge B on Tuesday. However, the real story is how close they came to not completing that run as the slightest of margins produced a grandstand finish for both teams. The drawn aggregate score of 121-121 saw the bonus points shared but the game count of 4-3 in favour of the visiting Skel Windmill team saw them edge the points 5-4, extend their winning run and remain well clear at the top of the table.

They may be well clear but their two main rivals pulled some points back as Kirkheaton C&BC A had a 7-2 home win over David Brown Sports to move up to take 2nd place and Huddersfield RUBC had a great 8-1 home win over Marsh United B to condemn the losers to drop 3 positions from 2nd to 5th. That result sent the Rugby Club up to third position and chipped three points off the gap behind the leaders.

However realistically the real focus is now on the battle for the second promotion position as Skel Windmill still maintain a 13-points lead at the top. That outcome for Milnsbridge B sees them move into contention in the group of six teams behind the leader and separated amongst themselves by 9 points.

Huddersfield Recreation Club and Meltham B are in that chasing pack after good home wins for them this week. The Recreation Club beat Thongsbridge B 7-2 and Meltham B beat bottom of the table Netherton Con B by 6-3. Primrose Hill Lib resurrected hopes of avoiding relegation with an unexpected first away win of the season and the first win anywhere since 15 April by winning at Ravensknowle Park by 6-3.

We have a new Division 5 leader as Brockholes B emerge from three teams on the same 57-point mark after a 6-3 away win over bottom team New Mill B and a 7th consecutive win to take over at the top. They dislodged Kirkheaton Con B who lost their home match against Hemplow B by 3-6 which saw the visitors record a fourth successive win and are the division's in-form team. Dalton remain very much in the promotion picture after a 7-2 home win over Greenhead Park means they are one of that top three teams with Hemplow B lurking menacingly two points behind them.

The biggest win of the day was an 8-1 home win for Broad Oak B who thrashed Kirkheaton C&BC B and that means a one position jump up the table to 6th spot for the winners. Almondbury BC B had a 6-3 home win over Marsh Lib B and overtook their opponents when moving up three places to 8th.