Clayton West are favourites in derby match

Veterans League

A Preview of the fixtures in the 6-Man League scheduled for Monday 18 July

It could be a stiff test this week for the Division 1 leaders, Clayton West, as they continue their quest to make it two title wins on the bounce by adding the Division 1 title to last year's Division 2 Champions success. An away trip to Skel Windmill A is a local derby meeting and will be fiercely contested I am sure. The Skel side have lost two home matches this season both to bottom three teams but still hold 4th place in the table whereas the Clayton team have won half of their six away fixtures and will not be phased by a trip to their local rivals.

Second placed Waterloo sit 9 points behind the leaders but have the same Won-9 Lost-3 record as their rivals and have a very winnable home match against Thongsbridge A who may still be recovering from their Julie Fuller Final defeat. Third-placed Marsh United A will be looking to complete a league double over Netherton Con A when they make the trip this week.

I cannot work Brockholes A out! They sit in the 2nd relegation place but have beaten three of the teams in the top half of the table including the leaders Clayton West. They have the opportunity to confirm that status even further this week with an away tie at Shepley A. The Shepley side have won all their home matches this season and will expect to do more of the same this week but against the unpredictable Brockholes team anything can happen.

New Mill A and Golcar C&BC will be watching the Brockholes result with particular interest as all three teams are in the frame for the relegation places at present. Golcar C&BC have the best chance of picking up some valuable points when they entertain Milnsbridge A whilst their rivals for survival both have away matches.

Holmfirth A and Broad Oak are locked together on 52 points at the top of the Division 2 table and both have away matches this week at Lockwood Con and Crosland Moor respectively. That could open up the chase for third-placed Lindley Lib A to close the gap on the two leaders which currently stands at 5 points. They have a home fixture against relegation-threatened Longwood so things could become very interesting.

Division 3 leaders Almondbury Lib will expect to extend their winning run to 12 matches with home advantage over Lindley Lib B who have lost all 7 away matches they have played this season. The 2nd and 3rd placed teams go head-to-head with Milnsbridge B having home advantage over Denby Dale whilst Primrose Hill Lib are poised to take full advantage of a home match agsinst strugglers Elland C&BC.

Only two teams sit lower in the table than Elland C&BC and they are Holmfirth B and Hemplow A who will need to start picking up points soon if they harbour any hope of avoiding relegation this season. Holmfirth B have home advantage over Linthwaite Hall whilst Hemplow A have to go to Marsh Lib B and points are likely to be in short supply.

The two Hemplow teams are in danger of swapping places with the A team sat at the foot of the Division 3 table and the B side topping the Division 4 table. It could be a pivotal moment in the Division 4 season as the top two teams go up against each other as Hemplow B entertain Skel Windmill B. Only 3 points between the team at present so everything to play for.

The 3rd and 4th placed teams also go head-to-head as Netherton Con B go to play Marsh United B. Then 2 of the bottom 3 have to face each other when Brockholes C host Shepley B. The games keep coming fast at this time of the season and few teams can afford to concede points to other teams in promotion and relegation battles.