Can Skel take win record to new level?

Veterans League

Preview of the Divisions 3, 4 & 5 fixtures in the 10-Man League on Tuesday 1 July

Almondbury Lib are the Division 3 leaders and despite winning two more matches than any other team in the division only have a slender 3-points lead in the race for the title. Six other teams remain in contention for that honour or a promotion place consolation prize. The leaders have an away fixture against one of the teams not in that chasing pack of six when they go to Marsh Lib this Tuesday.

Second-placed Holmfirth A do have to travel to face another title contender at Brockholes A who are two places and 4 points behind them but home advantage could change that outlook dramatically. Two other aspiring rivals go up against each other as 3rd-placed Hemplow A host 7th-placed Springwood with again only a 4-points gap separating the teams.

Linthwaite Hall could be major beneficiaries of this week's fixture programme as they are at home to strugglers Lockwood Con B and a big home win could push them right into the limelight. Lindley Lib B would like to consider themselves as major players in the chase for the top and if they could manufacture an away win at Thorpe Green that could be the start of something big for them.

With 4 points separating the bottom five teams there is obviously much still to be played for and bottom of the pile Paddock I&C will be keen to retain their interest in how that pans out when they go to play Slaithwaite this Tuesday. Neither side is in great form with Paddock on a run of 1 win in 5 and Slaithwaite only marginally better off with 1 win in 4.

The only 100% win record in the 10-Man League belongs to the Division 4 leaders, Skel Windmill, having won all nine of their 2025 fixtures. They have to go to play Milnsbridge B on Tuesday who have a proud 100% home record and would like nothing more than to be the first team to beat the leaders this year. The leaders could stand a loss without detracting too much from their 15-point lead but they will be thinking much more positively than that I am sure and a double-figure target is certainly not beyond them.

After an opening four-match winning run Marsh United B have only won one of their last 5 fixtures but hang on to the 2nd promotion slot at present. They travel to play Huddersfield RUBC this week who are just two points behind them so plenty at stake for both teams.

Netherton Con B and Primrose Hill Lib are in danger of drifting away from the bulk of teams in the Division and that could be further jeopardised as both have away fixtures this week against teams just above them in the table. Netherton are at Meltham B and Pip Hill at Ravensknowle Park with all four teams no doubt aware of the importance of the outcome of these matches. David Brown Sports are also caught up in that battle at the bottom and the threat of an immediate return to Division 5 so will be keen to get something out of their trip to play promotion hopefuls Kirkheaton C&BC A.

One point between the two mid-table teams from Thongsbridge B and Huddersfield Recreation Club who have home advantage as the two teams meet this week. Only Skel Windmill have beaten the Recreation Club on their home green this year and should that outcome prevail again then the teams could swap positions in the table.

It is very tight at the foot of the Division 5 table with New Mill B struggling in last place for now and three points behind the nearest rival. But the four teams immediately above them are only one point apart from each other. Two of those four go up against each other this Tuesday when Almondbury BC B host Marsh Lib B. With New Mill B at home to 2nd in the table Brockholes B and expectations of a shock result with the Brockholes team on a run of six straight wins and eager to extend that and heighten the pressure on the leaders Kirkheaton Con B.

The leaders have a home match against 4th in the table Hemplow B and with both teams having Won-7 Lost-2 season-long records things are likely to remain tight. Dalton had a good home win over the Kirkheaton Con side last week and have another home fixture this week with Greenhead Park being the visitors.