Veterans 10-Man League
The focus this week turns to the relegation issues in each of the sections with some interesting matches lined up, none more so than in Section 1.
THE BOTTOM OF SECTION 1
Here the bottom four teams are in direct opposition this Tuesday which may be the last chance saloon moment for Thongsbridge 'A' and possible for Netherton Con 'A' as well. Bottom team Thongsbridge 'A' are 19 points off safety and this week entertain Meltham 'A' who are in a run of 4 straight defeats and have a single away win this season. There will never be a more inviting and vital time to begin a revival than this key fixture this Tuesday. Similarly Netherton Con 'A' have lost their last 5 matches but remain within touching distance of a Crosland Moor side they welcome to their home this week. The Moor have just one win in their last 7 games and you have to go back to May for their solitary away victory. Lots at stake with defeats for the current bottom two could be the final nails in the relegation coffin. At the other end of the table all the top four teams have home fixtures this week with Waterloo having the most difficult looking task with 5th placed Cowcliffe the visitors. However, Waterloo have a water-tight home record of 7 wins from 7 matches and will be confident of extending that run.
Only one team in the bottom half of the Section 2 table has an away game this week and that is when Lockwood Con 'B' has to travel to third-placed Broad Oak 'A' whose only two home defeats have been to the two teams above them in the table. There are 17-points between the bottom 7 teams so a good week can improve most teams' status remarkably but with them all having games against top-half teams it is never going to be an easy day.
THE BOTTOM OF SECTION 2
It could be another dark day for Kirkheaton C&BC 'A' who sit rock bottom after a run of 7 straight defeats and have to face 4th placed Thorpe Green this Tuesday. In contrast their nearest rival is Paddock I&C and they start their home meeting with Milnsbridge 'A' on the back of their first win in five after beating Brockholes 'A' last week and raising hopes of a survival run. Brockholes 'A' remain in a rut with only one win (6-3 at home v Paddock I&C) from their last 5 matches and facing a Lindley BC 'A' side still very much in the promotion race.
Matters at the foot are equally as tight in Section 3 with 7 teams within 15 points of each other and a gridlock of teams aiming to avoid the drop.
THE BOTTOM OF SECTION 3
This makes this week's meeting of the B teams from Marsh United and Meltham all the more critical as the loser could well find themselves sitting in a relegation place come the end of Tuesday. Their saving grace may be the fact that Brockholes 'B', currently occupying that second relegation place, have to travel to play the leaders Lowerhouses who have won all their 7 home games to date. Outlane will be buoyant after their first win in 7 last week but they have to travel to meet Skel Windmill.
Almondbury BC 'B' eased their Section 4 relegation fears last week when beating Netherton Con 'B' to go 9 points clear of their rivals who continue to fill the second relegation spot.
THE BOTTOM OF SECTION 4
However they have to visit second-placed Huddersfield Recreation Club this week but the key to their longer-term fate may be found in the meeting of Primrose Hill Lib and Netherton Con 'B'. With home advantage Pip Hill will be looking to widen the current 9-point gap between themselves and their visitors and do the Almondbury outfit a big favour at the same time.
There is no relegation from Section 5 so lets focus on the top of this Section and recognise that this seems like the time that Marsh Lib could firmly toss their hat into the Section 5 promotion tussle as the fixtures signal an opportunity to get involved at the top table. This week they have a home game against lowly Broad Oak 'B' who haven't won an away fixture all season. Then the two teams above them both have difficult looking fixtures in front of them this week. The leaders, The Rugby Club, have to go to play Holmfirth 'B' who have won 5 of their 6 home games to date, and second-placed New Mill 'B' host fourth-placed Greenhead Park who have been batting well above their position in the KO competitions recently and if they bring that form to their league fixtures then they will be a serious contender. The remaining fixtures continue to favour the Marsh Lib club as after this week they don't have to play any of the three sides around them in the table. In addition there is a catalogue of fixtures involving the other three top teams still to come including the leaders, Huddersfield RUBC, having to play both New Mill 'B' and Greenhead Park both home and away so anything is possible. They can't all expect to win their remaining fixtures, whereas Marsh Lib could.
THE BOWLSNET PAGES OF THE VETERANS 10-MAN LEAGUE
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