Division 1 title race remains wide open

Veterans League

A preview of the fixtures scheduled for Monday 22 September in the Veterans 6-Man League

Two weeks to go in the Veterans 6-Man League Division 1 season and still nothing is decided at either end of the table. Clayton West hold a two-point lead over Waterloo and a three-point lead over 3rd placed Marsh United A who they travel to play this Monday. Waterloo have to visit 5th placed Shepley A so anything could happen with the likelihood that we will progress to the last week of the season with the destination of the 2025 title still very much in the balance.

It is equally confusing at the wrong end of the table with 5 teams in the relegation mix which could extend the outcome until after the end date of the season. That is supposed to be Monday 29 September but a rearranged fixture between two of the teams deeply engaged in the relegation battle go up against each other on Tuesday 30 September. That will see Golcar C&BC at home to Brockholes A with the two teams in the current bottom three positions and could be a real relegation decider.

Everything is up in the air in the Division 2 title race as well as at the opposite end of the table. Lindley Lib A currently lead the way by 8 points but have completed their fixture programme. It doesn't look an insurmountable target although it is out of reach of 4th placed Marsh Lib A. Of the others, Broad Oak look the most dangerous with two matches in hand and only 9 points behind the leaders. However, the top three teams will all fancy their chances of lifting the trophy. With Lindley Lib A standing on the sidelines and no clashes of the other leading contenders, it looks like we will have to wait another week before this story unravels a little more.

With the bottom five teams all involved in the battle to avoid the last two places and all five playing higher placed teams in the table then this feels like a decisive week in the relegation wobbler. Thongsbrdige B look likely to be the first team to be mathmatically relegated. This Monday they are away to promotion-chasing Marsh Lib A who cannot afford any slipups with the second promotion place their only target.

Longwood play their final fixture at home to Brockholes A tomorrow and that result will probably set the points target for the other strugglers. The final day meeting that catches the eye is the Crosland Moor v Paddock I&C clash and both teams will be keen to get some points in the bank before then.

With Almondbury Lib already declared as the Division 3 Champions the little matter who gets promoted with them seems to rest in the hands of 2nd-placed Milnsbridge B. They need 6 points from their final two fixtures to clinch that second place and could even be promoted this Monday after playing away at bottom-placed Hemplow A.

A defeat for Hemplow A would be a double-whammy as it could signal their relegation to be replaced by the club's B team, who have already secured the Division 4 title. Who will drop through the relegation trapdoor with them looks to be between Holmfirth B and Elland C&BC who both have home matches this week before final day away fixtures the following Monday. Both of them have to play Greenhead Park over the last two rounds of matches, who are the nearest team that could be caught by both teams so adding to the tension.

As Hemplow B are already declared the Division 4 Champions, the race is on for the second promotion place, which will be likely to be taken by one of three teams still harbouring hopes of stepping up to the mark. All three have home fixtures this week and none of them can afford to slip up with ony two points separating them. Clayton West are best placed of those three with one more match to be played than either of their rivals but they will have to claim the points to match that ambition.