Veterans League
Preview of the 10-Man League fixtures for Tuesday in Divisions 3, 4 and 5.
Thorpe Green were a major casualty of the rebalancing work undertaken by the League at the end of last season. The shake-up of the divisions saw Thorpe Green lose their Division 2 status despite finishing two places above the drop zone.
On the back of that evidence they became one of the Fantasy League's favourites for the Division 3 title but that hasn't worked out as expected. They have lost their first three fixtures and this week sit in the relegation places one position and two points behind Springwood who they meet this Tuesday.
The fact that the match will be played at Springwood doesn't improve their chances of claiming their first win of the season. Things could get even worse as Hemplow, who are the only team below them in the table, play two home matches this week. On Tuesday they welcome Outlane and then on Friday play a catchup fixture against Springwood.
Denby Dale continue to set the pace at the top of the table but will have a difficult opponent to face this week as they have to go to play fourth-placed Lindley Lib B. That will not have escaped the notice of the two teams in 2nd and 3rd positions, Brockholes A and Elland WMC, who face each other on Tuesday and either of them could be the new leaders come that evening.
Slaithwaite and Skel Windmill are locked together in mid-table on 12 points, both have home matches against lower-placed opposition so will fancy their chances of climbing into the promotion mix as the top four fight out positions amongst themselves.
Milnsbridge BC B took over the Division 4 top spot last week and will fancy their chances of retaining that status with a home match this week. They take on 4th-placed Ravensknowle Park who have had two good home wins so far but lost their only away match. The Park side are one of the four teams queueing up behind the leaders and with only one point between the four of them things can change very rapidly. Marsh United B are well positioned in that quartet and this week have a home match against a Brockholes B team that had a setback last week losing for the first time and that was a home match against Lockwood Con B.
Lindley BC B and Marsh Lib have had disappointing starts to their season both failing to win any of their opening three fixtures. Both have home matches this week although Lindley BC B have the more difficult-looking opponents in second-placed Kirkheaton C&BC A. Marsh Lib entertain a Huddersfield Recreation Club opponent that has made a stuttering start to the campaign.
Meltham B will be aiming to avoid being dragged into the drop zone when they take on a visiting Thongsbridge B team who are looking to improve on their only previous away result when they went down heavily to Kirkheaton C&BC A. The Rugby Club could be dragged into matters at the wrong end of the table and with an away commitment at Lockwood Con B this week things don't look to become any easier for them.
Netherton Con B took over at the top of the Division 5 table last week and will expect to consolidate that lead with a home match against lowly Almondbury BC B. That may be supported by the fact that the 2nd and 3rd placed teams meet up at the Crosland Moor home green of David Brown Sports as they welcome Hemplow B this Tuesday.
The Kirkheaton Con B side have started the new season stronger than they finished the last one with 2 wins from 3 matches to land in 4th place. They have a difficult task away at unbeaten New Mill B this week, who despite having won all their matches to date are only 5th in the table. They need a couple of big wins to promote their title hopes and home form may be key in delivering that.
The B teams of Broad Oak and Holmfirth sit in 7th and 8th places at present and they meet up this week in what is expected to be a close affair. Meanwhile Dalton have to go to play Kirkheaton C&BC B who are the only team in the division still looking for their first win of the season. One point separates 9th-placed Greenhead Park and bottom-of-the-table Primrose Hill Lib who meet up this week with more than pride at stake.