Veterans League
It really is top-of-the-table matchday this week with the top three divisions all having 2nd v 3rd confrontations and then in Divisions 4 and 5 we have the top two teams facing each other.
Starting in Division 1 where a re-energised Lockwood Con 'A' go to Cowcliffe with one position but 5 points between the teams. Both teams have won their last three matches and are on an upward path which, for one of them, is going to stop this Tuesday. The leaders Golcar Lib 'A' have a difficult fixture away at Waterloo which is their final match in the first half of the season.
With so much uncertainty about how many teams will be relegated from the division this year following the withdrawal of Crosland Moor at the start of the season, the clash of Longwood v Lindley Lib 'A' brings added pressure to both teams as they currently occupy 11th and 12th positions in the table. Lindley BC 'A' don't look well-positioned to take advantage of any outcome in that match as they travel to Elland C&BC 'A' on the back of a run of 8 straight defeats and without an away win all season.
Kirkheaton Con 'A' have home advantage over Clayton West as they try to recover their early-season winning form as do Marsh United 'A' as they go to play unbeaten-at-home Rastrick this week.
Second v Third in Division 2 means Almondbury BC 'A' entertaining Bradley & Colne with the home side having a 4-point lead at present. The leaders are Milnsbridge who have to go to Netherton Con 'A' who were on a 5-match winning run before coming unstuck at Bradley & Colne last week but remain well-poised in fourth place.
Shepley haven't won an away match since the opening day of the season and will have it all on to correct that situation at Lowerhouses this week. Thorpe Green really need a win at fellow strugglers Brockholes 'A' this Tuesday if they are to stay out of the clutches of Lockwood Con 'B' in the drop zone who play at home to Hemplow 'A'. The Hemplow side has a Won-7 Lost-4 match record this season which interestingly is the same as the teams in 2nd and 3rd positions in the table but they languish in 10th position and have lost their last two away matches by 0-9.
Another 2nd v 3rd clash in Division 3 with Holmfirth 'A' hosting Denby Dale with just one point between the teams. Holmfirth have an unbeaten home record and preservation of that will see them climb above their opponents. Leaders Linthwaite Hall travel to play lowly Kirkheaton C&BC 'A' on the back of two big wins in their last two away matches with a clear expectation of more of the same this week.
Marsh United 'B' are in danger of getting isolated at the bottom of the table and really need something from their home fixture with Almondbury Lib before starting a run of three matches against top half teams.
Springwood and Lindley Lib 'B' are in a cluster of 5 teams separated by 7 points above the bottom place occupied by the Marsh United team. Springwood currently have the second relegation place all to themselves so really need something from their trip to play their Lindley Lib opponents who haven't lost at home since the first day of the season which was against the league leaders.
Huddersfield Recreation Club haven't won an away match all season which is curtailing their ambitions and they get the opportunity to address that matter this week at fellow mid-tablers Skel Windmill. Paddock I&C and Golcar Lib 'B' are poised just below the promotion tussle top three and a big win for either could propel them into contention. Neither side are in great form at present so home advantage may be sufficient to give the Golcar outfit the edge.
It is a top-two fixture in Division 4 as leaders Lindley BC 'B' have home advantage and a one-point lead over Elland C&BC 'B'. The Lindley team's unbeaten home record is going to be heavily tested although both teams have only lost one of their nine fixtures to date. Sat comfortably in third place and one-point off the top spot are Ravensknowle Park and they may be well situated to take advantage of the top two teams taking points off each other but have their own tough match as fourth-placed Meltham 'B' are their visitors.
Only four points between the bottom four teams and not an easy fixture between them as three of the four play away this week. The one homester being bottom team New Mill 'B' although they take on the Rugby Club who have won 5 of their last 6 matches and still with a valid interest in the promotion race. No bottom half team has picked up more away points than Thongsbridge 'B' and they will need all that experience to overtake Milnsbridge 'B' who sit one place above them in the table as they go head-to-head this Tuesday.
And finally in Division 5 there is the coming together of the top two teams as the leaders Kirkheaton Con 'B' go to play at Marsh Lib who retain the only unbeaten record in the 6-Man League. Third-placed Dalton will expect to extend their unbeaten home record as Netherton Con 'B' come calling who have lost their last two matches after a positive start to the season. Broad Oak 'B' ended a four-match losing run last week and will be expecting to build on that with a home fixture against bottom-of-the-table Holmfirth 'B'.