Almondbury Lib and Hemplow are Champions

Veterans League

Review of the 6-Man League results from matches played on Monday 8 September

Clayton West forced themselves back into contention for the Division 1 title after a 6-1 away win at New Mill A on Monday. That piles the pressure on the leaders Waterloo who squeezed past Brockholes A with a 4-3 away win after an aggregate win of 91-83 took the two bonus points. That means that the leaders have just a two-point lead with two matches left to play.

A surprise 2-5 home defeat for Marsh United A by Thongsbridge A saw them drop a place to third in the table and four points off the top spot. New Mill A's disappointment in losing to Clayton West was compounded by Brockholes A beating Skel Windmill A 4-3 to widen the gap between the teams but both remain in the two relegation places.

The top three teams in Division 2 all had away fixtures this week and only two of them won those matches. As a result Broad Oak A go two points clear at the top following their 5-2 away win at Paddock I&C with Lindley Lib A overtaking Holmfirth A to go second after a 4-3 away win at Thongsbridge B. A 2-5 defeat at Marsh Lib A was a big setback to Holmfirth A's hopes and they are now four points behind the leaders in third place.

A 3-4 home defeat for Longwood by Lockwood Con included an 83-81 aggregate scoreline so denying Longwood the extra two points that would have lifted them out of the second relegation place. Thongsbridge B remain rooted to the foot of the table with two matches to reduce the 9-point gap currently showing. Crosland Moor will be relieved that their bye-week didn't end with them sat in the relegation places but they still have much to do to secure their place in this Division for next season with only a better Aggregate For total saving them from that fate at present.

Almondbury Lib are the 2025 Champions of the Division 3 title and are promoted to Division 2 for next season. They collected 5 points from their away match against Greenhead Park and with Milnsbridge B losing 2-5 at Linthwaite Hall can no longer be caught to be denied a position they have made their own all season.

Denby Dale made a huge statement with a 6-1 away win at Elland C&BC closing the gap to the second promotion place to 9-points with two matches to go. However they have a more difficult run-in than their rivals for the title but anything can happen.

A 1-6 away defeat for Hemplow A was a real setback to any lingering hopes of avoiding relegation as their final three fixtures are against the three teams fighting for the second promotion place. Elland C&BC also suffered a 1-6 loss and with Holmfirth B clocking up a very creditable 6-1 home win over Primrose Hill Lib are very much in the relegation mix. Marsh Lib B and Greenhead Park are also in range of the bottom two places so plenty to play for.

Hemplow B are the Division 4 Champions after beating Marsh United B 6-1, opening a 22-point gap that cannot be breached by any of the chasing pack, despite all of them having one more match than the leaders still to play.

However there is much still to be played for with three teams with realistic hopes of claiming the second promotion place. All three collected routine home wins this week with Clayton West faring best with a 6-1 win over bottom team Thongsbridge C to open a three-point lead over Netherton Con B who beat Greenhead Park B 5-2. Skel Windmill B remain very much in contention after a 5-2 home win over New Mill B.