Brockholes Bonanza Day

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 8 June

The top three teams in Division 1 all have home matches this week against teams in the bottom half of the table, all have Won-5 Lost-1 playing records and all will expect to post hefty home wins this Monday. Failure to do so could see the pecking order change but that is very unlikely. Broad Oak A are the only team in that top three to lose a home fixture this season and that was against a fellow top-three opponent, Marsh United A.

The bottom two teams also have home matches to look forward to this week with Thongsbridge A hosting a Waterloo side still smarting from losing their last two matches, which has left them adrift of the battle for the title. The Thongsbridge side are still looking for a first win and will need to play at a level not seen this season so far if they are to register that initial win.

Skel Windmill A have lost their last four fixtures and their only win this season was a narrow home victory over the only team below them in the table. However with the three teams immediately above them in the table all playing top-three opponents away from home, this is a real opportunity for the bottom two to close the gap to safety.

The top two teams in Division 2 face each other on Monday where Holmfirth A have home advantage over New Milll A with the home side holding a two-point lead before the start of play. Both teams have a won 5 out of 6 record and both are in good form. Could be a classic. Lockwood Con sit third and could finish the day at the top of the table with a home match against Golcar Lib A to look forward to.

Then there is an all Brockholes affair with the A team still with aims of promotion whilst their B team have a less hopeful cause in mind as they remain in the relegation places for now, not forgetting of course that local pride comes into play. The two teams either side of them go up against each other with bottom team Longwood aiming to build on last week's first win of the season away to Paddock I&C. They meet a Milnsbridge B team that have lost their last three fixtures by the same 1-6 scoreline.

Almondbury Lib may be in 5th place but that equates to being only 6 points behind the leaders and they could claw the bulk of that difference back with a home match against Paddock I&C after seeing off the bottom two teams in their last two matches.

A mid-table clash between 6th placed Marsh Lib A (nearer the top than the bottom) and 8th placed Denby Dale (nearer the bottom than the top) completes the Tuesday line-up.

A Division 3 top versus bottom clash will not help Elland C&BC's hopes of moving out of the relegation places anytime soon especially as the leaders, Hemplow A, have home advantage and an unbeaten record home and away. That record is matched by second-placed Thongsbridge A who are away to strugglers Primrose Hill Lib who suffered a 0-7 away defeat at Clayton West B last Monday.

Crosland Moor have won their last three matches in impressive style and will expect to extend that run with a home match against Broad Oak B. Golcar Lib B have also won their last three matches and host a Greenhead Park A side still smarting from a 0-7 home defeat by the leaders last week.

Lindley Lib B desperately need a win to reawaken hopes of avoiding relegation and a home match against Marsh Lib B could provide an opportunity to pick up a few points to help that cause. Linthwaite Hall had a good away win last week against Broad Oak B and if they can reproduce that form against Clayton West B could begin a welcome climb up the table.

Thongsbridge C have played more matches than 10 of the other teams in Division 4 and that advantage will disappear this week when they have no match. With four teams queueing up behind them and no more than 3 points adrift, it is clear that there will be a new leader to be hailed come Monday evening. New Mill B are in pole position to assume that elevation and a home match against Skel Windmill B will further that intent.

Meltham along with the New Mill B side have both won their last four fixtures but they have a tougher nut to crack when travelling to play Netherton Con B who have won their last three matches albeit that they were all against teams in the bottom five.

It is going to be quite a day on the Brockholes green this week with all four teams that play in the 6-Man League appearing there. Two all-club encounters as well as the two Division 2 teams playing each other, there is also an inter-club meeting of the C and D teams from Division 4. They have the morning start time and with both in the bottom three and only one win between them all season, there is a lot at stake for both teams.

Two other strugglers also meet up with Shepley B hosting Holmfirth B and with the Shepley outfit having won both of their last two matches, they may have turned the corner and can look upwards. The B teams from Greenhead Park and Hemplow are lodged together, both on 23 points so whichever wins their meeting will shoot away for now although with the Hemplow team having played one less match than their rivals that advantage may only be temporary.

Now go to our home page for all the latest news stories