Division 3 top and bottom key matches this week

Veterans League

Preview of the Tuesday 15 August fixture programme in Divisions 3, 4 & 5

There are some key fixtures at both ends of the Division 3 table this week as two promotion bidders go head-to-head at Almondbury Lib (2nd) against 3rd-placed Denby Dale. Only top-of-the-table Golcar Lib 'B' have beaten Almondbury Lib in their last 7 matches and they have home advantage and a 4 points cushion over the Denby Dale outfit. The leaders are away at Kirkheaton C&BC 'A' who have crept up to 4th place over recent weeks but are way off the level that the leaders are playing at.

An interesting clash at the lower end of the table as well. If the end-of-season rebalancing work goes ahead as threatened then four teams could be relegated. Looking at that figure then it could be argued that Kirkheaton C&BC 'A', in 4th position but only 11 points off a relegation place, could be involved in a fight to stay up. What is sure is that Huddersfield Recreation Club and Skel Windmill are very much in the midst of that dogfight to stay up and their meeting this Tuesday means a lot to both teams.

Outlane and Lockwood Con 'B' also figure in that dogfight and Outlane will be keen to complete a league double over their rivals this week. As only the top trio appear to be safe from being involved in the relegation scrap that means that Paddock I&C and Slaithwaite will also be scrambling for points when the teams meet up on Tuesday.

Eight points separate the bottom six teams in Division 4 and two of those six meet each other this week. Almondbury BC 'B' take on Primrose Hill Lib with both teams in the bottom three with the expectation that three teams could be relegated this season from this division. The winner of that fixture could find themselves out of the drop zone as the Rugby Club are just above them but have to play the table toppers Lindley Lib 'B' where points will be at a premium.

Good winning runs by both the Lindley Lib team (8 unbeaten) and Springwood (5 unbeaten) has enabled them to break away from the pack at the top of the table and Springwood will look to consolidate that position when they are at home to Ravensknowle Park. Lindley BC 'B' will be looking to quell any talk about becoming involved in the relegation scrap to climb out of the scope of such ideas when hosting Marsh United 'B'.

Another top-two clash in Division 5 as the leaders, Milnsbridge 'B', are at home to Brockholes 'B' who have won their last 5 matches and will be looking to avenge an early season home defeat at the hands of Tuesday's opponents. This may present an opportunity for 3rd Placed David Brown Sports to take closer order on the two leaders and further their own promotion hopes. A home match, where they are unbeaten all season, against 2nd from bottom Kirkheaton C&BC 'B' should give them a good platform on which to launch an assault on the top two positions.

Looking at the other three fixtures in this division then I think it would be a surprise if Netherton Con 'B', Greenhead Park and Broad Oak 'B' didn't win their matches but then again what do I know?