Veterans League
Preview of matches to be played in the Veterans 6-Man League on Monday 14 August
Golcar C&BC are the Division 1 team in the best run of form at present with six straight wins behind them, They will need to call on all that resolve when they play at Shepley this week as their hosts are one place but 8 points behind them in the table. This feels like a last opportunity for Shepley to signal that they intend to be involved in the defence of their 2022 title for a little longer.
Skel Windmill 'A' continue to head the table but that is mainly because they have played one more match than all their rivals. Marsh United 'A' are the major threat to that lead having the same number of points as the leaders with a home fixture lined up this week. That sees the Thongsbridge 'A' side travelling to Marsh where the home team has a 100% win record and every incentive to extend that run.
The leaders have to travel to play Lockwood Con who have their own needs very much in mind being one of the four teams from which the two relegated teams will inevitably come. Having lost their last four matches there is an urgent need to start performing before the downward pull becomes like a magnet drawing them to the trap door to Division 2 bowling next season.
Bottom of the table Elland C&BC had the boost of a first win of the season last week but have to go to Milnsbridge where the home team has climbed out of the drop zone on a run of 4 wins from their last 5 matches and will be in no mode to fritter that achievement away with an indifferent display against any team below them in the table.
Longwood occupy the second relegation place at present due to losing their last 6 matches. They have home advantage over Brockholes 'A' who have dropped out of the title race in recent weeks and are destined for a mid-table finish this year. The Netherton Con team also look set for a mid-table finish but the same cannot be said for their opponents this week, Crosland Moor who sit one place and 2 points above the second relegation place and so desperately need the points.
Slaithwaite are romping away in the Division 2 race for the title with only one defeat from their 15 matches to date. That includes all seven of their home fixtures with another scheduled for this week when Holmfirth 'A' are the visitors. Their nearest challengers are Lindley Lib 'A' who are 12 points adrift and have to travel to face Almondbury Lib this Monday. It is difficult to see any scenario that would see that gap reduced at all.
The teams in 3rd and 4th places are Paddock I&C and Lindley Lib 'B' and they meet up this week with both teams having won their last three matches. It looks like any 2 from 3 who will be relegated as Denby Dale, Skel Windmill 'B' and Linthwaite Hall occupy those three places and are only separated by 3 points but 13 points off safety. Denby Dale and Linthwaite Hall face each other this week. Linthwaite Hall have found a bit of form recently winning two of their last 5 matches whilst Denby Dale have lost 5 on the bounce. Squashed between these two sit Skel Windmill 'B' who have Clayton West as visitors on Monday who will be travelling in the hope of copying their 7-0 win from earlier in the season when the two teams met.
In Division 3 the Friday fixture between Thongsbridge 'C' and 2nd placed New Mill has been rearranged for 1 September. That provides an opportunity for the leaders, Marsh Lib, to extend their lead when they have home advantage over Greenhead Park who are a very dangerous opponent. They have won their last four fixtures by the same 6-1 scoreline but they will need to be on top form if they are to threaten Marsh Lib's 100% home win record.
Marsh United 'B' have played a match more than all the teams around them in the table and have to go to play Thongsbridge 'B' this week and with neither team in their best form of the season home advantage could be the deciding factor.
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