Bounce back time for Lowerhouses

Veterans League

Lowerhouses are expected to bounce straight back from their first defeat of the Division 1 season when they have home advantage over the promoted Elland WMC team on Tuesday. They still hold a 5-point lead at the top of the table with next in line, Kirkheaton Con A, having an away fixture at Rastrick to contend with.

The seven-year span from 2014-2021 saw Lockwood Con A collect the League's Outstanding Achievement Award after winning the Division 1 title for seven successive seasons. Now only 5 years later they sit at the bottom of that same table that they have dominated for so long and in real danger of dropping through the relegation trapdoor. Their only win being on the first day of the season at home to Marsh United A and a Tuesday trip to play third in the table Golcar Lib A offers few hopes of a turnaround in fortunes this week.

The second relegation place keeps getting passed between teams like the proverbial hot potato with Cowcliffe currently sitting there despite winning all their home matches this season. Unfortunately they have an away fixture this week as they seek their first away win when travelling to play Elland C&BC who have a very strong home record.

Despite winning their last two matches, Clayton West remain in the relegation mix but a home match against fourth in the table, Lindley Lib A, brings hopes of further success to continue their move out of danger. Home matches for Rastrick and Longwood could result in further congestion in mid-table where currently 7 teams are separated by 4 points.

Netherton Con A deservedly lead the Division 2 table after winning half of their matches by an 8-1 scoreline which has given them a 3-point lead for now. Having won all their home matches they welcome another opportunity to widen their lead when hosting fourth-placed Waterloo who have lost their last two matches against teams above them in the table and things don't get any easier for them this week.

The two teams chasing the leaders also have home fixtures this week as Meltham A entertain an Almondbury Lib team that has won their last three matches and Thongsbridge A who have an identical recent win record and they host a Shepley team looking for their first away win of the season.

The bottom two teams also have welcome home matches this week although bottom team Broad Oak A haven't won at home this season yet and Hemplow A's solitary win anywhere was on the opening day of the season. They take on Denby Dale and Lindley BC A respectively and both of those teams already have away wins over teams higher in the table than their Tuesday opponents. Milnsbridge A and Almondbury BC A will be looking to consolidate their mid-table positions when they meet each other to complete the Tuesday fixture programme.

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