Division 3 leaders grip on title in danger

Veterans League

Preview of the fixtures in Divisions 3,4&5 in the 10-Man League for Tuesday 26 August

Although the top five teams in Division 3 have away fixtures this Tuesday we can still expect some changes in the running order as teams are so bunched together behind the leader that one game win or defeat can change everything. Five points separates the four teams behind Almondbury Lib who are being pegged back on a regular basis after losing 3 of their last 5 matches. All three defeats being to teams in that chasing pack of four teams although they may have some respite this week as they travel to play Lindley Lib B who have a similar Won-2 Lost-3 recent record.

Springwood have the best recent record winning their last four matches including one against the leaders. This week they go to play Slaithwaite whose only win in their last 5 fixtures was against second-placed Brockholes A. This week the Badgers go to Thorpe Green who have won their last three matches against top five teams (but lost their last two against bottom two opponents!) in an unpredictable run of results.

Third-placed Linthwaite Hall have the most difficult looking away fixture when they go to play Hemplow A who have dropped out of the promotion chase when losing 4 of their last 6 matches. The bottom two teams remain in with credible hopes of avoiding the drop and the winner of this week's encounter between the two teams, Marsh Lib and Lockwood Con B, will renew their hopes of catching at least one of Tuesday's losing teams.

Skel Windmill have won all their previous eight Division 4 home matches this season and will expect to extend that sequence when hosting relegation-threatened Primrose Hill Lib this week. Although 19 points behind the leaders second-placed Kirkheaton C&BC A lead the race for the second promotion place and also have an unbeaten 8-match unbeaten home record which they will not be expecting to be damaged by Tuesday's visit from Thongsbridge B.

Milnsbridge B have hopes of continuing a 5-match winning run when they host Huddersfield RUBC this Tuesday. If the Rugby Club could reproduce the form that ended Skel Windmill's 14-match winning run then they could launch a promotion bid of their own but their away form is dire having only won once away from home all season.

The bottom two teams remain in danger of an immediate return to Division 5 unless they start to pickup some wins very soon. David Brown Sports have to play the top four teams in their last five fixtures starting this week away at Marsh United B. I fear for their chances.

Two points separate the top three teams in Division 5 with the top two both having home fixtures this week including a rerun of the Sub-Team KO Final when Kirkheaton Con B host Kirkheaton C&BC B. A repeat of the Final result will suit the leaders and they will need to better the scoreline in the Brockholes A versus Greenhead encounter to protect their one point lead at the top of the table.

Third-placed Hemplow B are very much in the running for a promotion place but have to go to play 4th-placed Lindley BC B this week. The Lindley team have won their last 5 fixtures and can match their opponents Won-14 Lost-3 season long record but are 7 points behind them which could be wiped out with a big home win this week.

New Mill B are the form team in the bottom half of the table winning 3 of their last 4 fixtures, a sequence they will expect to improve upon when hosting second from bottom Marsh Lib B.