All change in Division 1 of the 6-Man League

Veterans League

Review of the results from the 6-Man League fixtures played on Easter Monday

It is all change at the top of the Division 1 table as Shepley A move up three places to go top after beating New Mill A 6-1. The two teams holding down the top two positions both lost to open the way for the new leaders which prompted memories of when they were the 2021 and 2022 League Champions.

Previous leaders, Thongsbridge A, took a fall at Netherton Con A going down 1-6 and dropping from 1st to 7th place but still only 4 points from the top. Second-placed Clayton West went down 3-4 at third-placed Waterloo where an 81-80 aggregate scoreline in Waterloo's favour was decisive . Despite that win Waterloo drop a place to fourth as Skel Windmill A took advantage of the turmoil at the top to go second after a good 6-1 away win at Slaithwaite.

Golcar C&BC join New Mill A in the relegation places after losing 2-5 at home to Marsh United A whilst Brockholes A clocked up a good first win of the season beating Milnsbridge A 5-2 on their own green. With only 10 points between the 12 teams in the Division further mega changes can be expected as the season pans out.

Holmfirth A jump two places to top the Division 2 table after a 5-2 away win at Crosland Moor and swapping places with the previous leaders Broad Oak. It was Broad Oak who had the most difficult Monday match when travelling to Lindley Lib A and so it proved as they were the only loser in the top three teams going down 1-6. Marsh Lib stay third after winning at Golcar Lib 4-3 courtesy of an 80-78 aggregate advantage. The top of the Division 2 table is looking very congested with just 2 points separating the top four teams which keeps more teams on their toes and involved in the chase for promotion and honours.

At the opposite end of the table Thongsbridge B entertained a 5-man Paddock I&C team and came out the 4-3 winners with an 86-82 aggregate scoreline proving key despite the difference in team numbers. Brockholes B had a good 5-2 home win over Lockwood Con to confine both teams to mid-table positions both on 9 points and sitting 5th and 6th in the table.

Almondbury Lib continued their impressive start to the season with a firmer grip on the Division 3 top spot after a 6-1 home win over Hemplow A. Marsh Lib B and Greenhead Park follow in the leaders wake whilst extending their own winning openings to the season with home wins over Denby Dale (5-2) and Lindley Lib B (6-1) respectively.

A 2-5 home defeat for Holmfirth B by Elland C&BC sees them stuck in bottom place but level on points with Hemplow A and Lindley Lib B. Then there is a 5-points gap to Linthwaite Hall who had a bye week. A 5-2 home win for Primrose Hill Lib over Milnsbridge B did nothing to improve their 5th place standing.

The good start to the Division 4 season for Hemplow B ended with a 2-5 home defeat to 2nd placed Netherton Con B but failed to dislodge the Hemplow side from top spot for now. Greenhead Park B and Marsh United B have a habit of beating each other in the away leg of their fixtures and that outcome prevailed again this week with the visiting Greenhead Park team winning 4-3 due to a 91-90 aggregate scoreline. That pushed the winners up four places to third spot and sees the top five teams only four points apart.

It is even tighter at the foot of the table with one point between the bottom five teams after New Mill B won for the first time seeing off Shepley B by 6-1 but remain in bottom place. There was another tight aggregate scoreline and allocation of the two bonus points when Clayton West B beat Meltham 4-3 with the 91-89 aggregate difference clinching the extra two points for a first win for the league newcomers.

How are things working out with the experiment to move towards alternate jacks for each team bowler after every end? Is it making a difference or is it being ignored? Are the long mark players deprived of their most vital weapon or have they found a way around it to compensate? Come on Division 4 bowlers tell us about your initial experiences in playing under the new format.