Can Marsh United halt runaway leaders?

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 10-Man League Divisions 1&2 fixtures for Tuesday 2 June

Marsh United A are the latest team trying to halt the winning sequence of results from the Division 1 leaders, Lowerhouses. Five wins from 5 matches and a 10-points lead at the top of the table is a good platform upon which to launch a third successive title challenge. With just two wins from five fixtures it would be a major shock if the Marsh United team halted the runaway title favourites from their apparent incessant drive to a third straight title.

One reason for the big points gap could be that the main challenge to Lowerhouses dominance over the last two years has come from Longwood who have finished second in each of those seasons. This year that challenge has yet to emerge from Longwood or any of the other 10 teams in the Division. Three new challengers are in the frame this season although none of them have produced a winning sequence to make the leaders shake in their green footwear. The two 8-1 away wins for Kirkheaton Con A and Lindley Lib A show the shoots of potential but they have to be balanced out with disappointing results against lesser opponents.

Two of that group of three go head-to-head this week when Kirkheaton Con A welcome Elland C&BC, with both teams being on 26 points, to their postage stamp green. Lindley Lib A have home advantage over Golcar Lib A who sit one place and two points behind them so a lot at stake in both of these results.

At the foot of the table Clayton West enjoyed a first win of the season last week and hope to build on that when playing at fellow strugglers, Lockwood Con A. Cowcliffe sit between those two teams at present and have a difficult home match against Longwood this Tuesday. There could be some shuffling of running orders this week.

Hemplow A and Shepley are both on 15 points from 5 matches in the Division 2 table with Hemplow occupying the second relegation place and Shepley one place above them. Bottom of the table Broad Oak A play at Shepley this week with both teams looking for their second winning scoreline. Whichever team loses this match will probably end up in bottom place, so no pressure then! Hemplow A have to go to Almondbury Lib this Tuesday and would very much like to win and bring the Almondbury side back into the relegation mix.

Netherton Con A continue to set the pace as the leading team and will look to take advantage of the next four teams playing each other whilst they go to Almondbury BC A. That quartet comprises of Meltham A (2nd on 30pts) playing away at Lindley BC A (5th on 24pts) with 3rd placed Waterloo (28pts) hosting Thongsbridge A (4th on 25pts).

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