Veterans League
A preview of the fixtures for Monday 6 May in the 6-Man League
The top two teams in Division 1 go head-to-head this Monday when the leaders, Slaithwaite take on 2nd-placed Lindley Lib A. Both teams came up from Division 2 at the end of last season where Slaithwaite completed a league double over their Monday opponents. Slaithwaite are also defending the division's only unbeaten record and with home advantage will fancy their chances of extending the 3-point lead they have already.
Skel Windmill A will be very interested in the outcome of that match as sat in third position and a home match against a lowly Lockwood Con team they will fancy their chances of featuring higher up the table come Monday evening/
At the opposite end of the table there are only two points separating the bottom six teams so when two of those six have to confront each other it brings a nice edge to proceedings. That happens this Monday as Netherton Con and Paddock I&C are locked together on the same points total and everything to play for when they confront each other.
Waterloo and Thongsbridge sit just above that bottom six and have to face each other this week with the loser likely to be dragged into the fight for survival. Crosland Moor sit at the foot of the table and will not relish a trip to play Brockholes A whilst fellow strugglers, Shepley A, have to go to play Marsh United A.
A first v third confrontation in Division 2 as leaders Clayton West defend their 100% win record when they take on Marsh Lib A this week. With a three-point lead and home advantage Clayton West will fancy their chances of extending that lead in the table. Second-placed Golcar Lib will be watching proceedings with considerable interest whilst hosting a slow-starting Hemplow team this week.
Bottom of the table Elland C&BC are still looking for their first win of the season and may struggle to pass that milestone with a home match against an improving Bradley & Colne team who have won their last two matches. New Mill were the Division 3 Champions last year and seemed to take an instant liking to their higher status after posting two 7-0 wins. However two subsequent defeats has produced a reality check and a visit to play Milnsbridge BC B will be a real test of their potential at this level.
Greenhead Park A were also promoted from Division 3 last season and are taking a little longer to settle to their new surroundings and are still looking for their first home win when facing an Almondbury Lib side who have lost both their away matches by 1-8 so far. Holmfirth A had had a good start to the new campaign by winning their last three matches and a visit to Longwood offers the chance of extending that winning run.
Brockholes B have made a good start to their Division 3 season with four straight wins and a visit to play bottom-of-the-table Holmfirth B this Monday should hold few fears for them. They cannot afford to relax their form with Denby Dale also boasting an unbeaten record, 7 points behind the leaders but with a match in hand. With a home match against lowly Shepley B lined up for this week they won't expect to slip up in their quest to track the leaders.
Skel Windmill B currently hold second place after suffering relegation last year but a trip to play at Primrose Hill Lib will test their resolve. The Marsh derby match between the two club's B sides is also on the agenda for Monday. Whilst the United team have home advantage they have lost their last three fixtures with the opposite applying to the Lib team who will start as favourites for a win and the local bragging rights.
Thongsbridge B will be looking for a first home win when hosting the new B team from Greenhead Park this week who have made an encouraging start to 6-man bowling by winning two of their four matches to date. Thongsbridge C versus Meltham is the solitary Friday fixture this week and with the away team still looking for their first win of the season the result seems inevitable.