Division 1 title-decider already?

Veterans League

Preview of the fixtures in Divisions 1&2 of the Veterans League for Tuesday 5 May

There is a really attractive Tuesday fixture at the top of Division 1 as last season's, and this season's, top two teams go head-to-head. It may be too early to call it a title-decider but it could have a huge bearing on the confidence of either team to go on and claim the top prize. With reigning Champions Lowerhouses having home advantage over the Longwood team, who they completed a League double over last season, the odds are in their favour. Especially when you recall that Lowerhouses won all eleven of their 2025 home fixtures last season on 'the green with five crowns'! However, should Longwood snatch a win then that would open up the title race which last year was down to a 5-point gap between the two teams.

The two promoted Elland teams have made light work of settling into the top division and sit in a pack of three teams on 10 points behind the two leaders. This week Elland WMC have to travel to play the other team in that pack of three, Lockwood Con A. This will be a good measure of how far they have come and give some indication if they are likely remain in the leading pack throughout the season or not.

Clayton West have had the most difficult open pair of fixtures of any team having lost to both Lowerhouses and Longwood but a home match against a revitalised Elland C&BC team offers the opportunity to get a first win on the board and show that last season's third-place finish was not just a one-off. Lindley Lib A are also situated in the bottom two and will be aiming to claim their first win when entertaining a Marsh United A team who were one of three teams to finish below them in the table last season.

Meltham A have made a good start to their Division 2 season after relegation last year and sit in top spot as they go into Tuesday's home match against Thongsbridge A. Fellow relegated team Waterloo also feature in the top three but have to travel to play a Hemplow A side on the upward path after their promotion from Division 3 last season. They finished last season behind the runaway Champions, Almondbury Lib, who this week have a home fixture against Denby Dale.

The bottom two teams both have away games this week as they go in search of a first win of the season. Broad Oak A are at Milnsbridge A and Shepley have to go to play Netherton Con A. The Shepley side have made a disappointing start to the season after finishing last year in third place but having completed a League double over their Tuesday opponents last season will be hopeful of kick-starting their season with a good result.