Veterans League
A preview of the fixtures in Divisions 1 & 2 of the 10-Man League for Tuesday 16 May
With just four points seperating the top 7 positions in Division 1 things couldn't be much tighter and clashes between those seven teams bring added importance to those matches. There are two such clashes in this Tuesday's fixture programme,
Lowerhouses (1st 23 points) have home advantage over Waterloo (3rd 22 points) and then Lockwood Con A (2nd 22 points) take on Longwood (5th 20 points).
With Marsh United A and Lindley BC A both having home matches against bottom half opponents things could become even more congested at the top end of the table.
Clayton West meet Cowcliffe for the second time in a week but this time there is no neutral green involved which will make the home side favourites and the opportunity to move into the top half of the table leaving their opponents behind.
Golcar Lib A need to find their 2023 Champions form to feature more prominently and claim a first away win of the season at Netherton Con A who are still looking for their first win since returning to the top division.
There is a 3rd versus 2nd encounter in Division 2 to whet the appetite and an opportunity for Lindley Lib A to patch the gap that had been appearing between the top two and the chasing pack. However they will need to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Elland C&BC team who are bent on securing an immediate return to the top division. As are the leaders, Meltham A, and they have a home fixture against 5th placed Thongsbridge A which should be well within their capabilities.
The two Almondbury clubs have teams in the bottom three and both have difficult looking away fixtures this Tuesday. The Liberal Club are at 4th placed Milnsbridge BC A and then Almondbury BC A are at New Mill. All that may present an opening for bottom of the pile Linthwaite Hall to use home advantage to add a few points from their match against a Shepley side that clocked up their first win of the season in their last league match.
Two teams with higher aspirations meet at Golcar Lib where the club's B side host Braod Oak A. The Golcar Lib side should be satisfied with their start to life in Division 2 after winning promotion as Division 3 Champions but the Broad Oak team will be disappointed not to have built on last season's top half finish. Both teams will hope to feature in the higher realms as the season progresses and what better time than against one of your closest rivals.