Divisions 1&2 relegation matters to the fore

Veterans League

Review of Tuesday's Divisions 1&2 results in the Veterans 10-Man League

On a run of 7 consecutive defeats, Elland C&BC will be increasingly concerned that their return to Division 1 is to be a fleeting visit rather than something more long-term. The latest setback being a 2-7 defeat at Longwood which leaves them 7 points adrift of safety. One worrying aspect of that defeat was the low aggregate total of 72 points and four of the games ending in single-figure defeats for the visitors. The one saving grace being the fact that there are a number of teams potentially within reach and a run of bad form for any of the 5 teams immediately above them could change the whole picture. That is relying on other teams to struggle, never a good strategy.

Cowcliffe are already feeling the heat and a 3-6 home defeat to the runaway leaders, Lowerhouses A, means that they have lost 6 of their last 7 fixtures and occupy the second relegation place at present. Rastrick have an identical recent record of 6 defeats from their last 7 matches but their early season form, when they sat in 2nd place, protects them for now but a 1-8 defeat at Marsh United A displays how vulnerable they are.

Lindley Lib A and Lockwood Con A sit between the relegation places and Rastrick at present and the two teams met each other on Tuesday. That ended in a 7-2 home win for the Lindley side and lifts them above the Lockwood team.

Clayton West continue their winning run of form with a fourth straight victory this time away to Kirkheaton Con A by 7-2 and leaves them ruing their opening of the season run of four defeats leaft them considering what might have been. The runners-up place is a viable outcome as they sit just two points behind the current occupants, Elland WMC, and one point and one place behind Golcar Lib A. The two teams met at Elland this week with the home team running out close 5-4 winners.

Big wins for the top two teams in Division 2 confirmed their status as favourites for promotion with Denby Dale's 8-1 home win over their nearest rivals, Netherton Con A, worthy of a special mention. That was a setback for the Netherton team which puts them back in a battle to remain in the hunt for promotion along with two other teams, Thongsbridge A and Almondbury BC A, both on the same 79 points mark as them. The Thongsbridge side would be disappointed to have lost 2-7 away at Broad Oak A whilst the Almondbury team took the opening to move into the chasing pack frame with a nervous 6-3 home win (119-116 aggregate) over a Hemplow A side losing for the 15th consecutive time this season.

Meanwhile Meltham A continue their seemingly relentless charge to the Division 2 title and continue their Yo-Yo form which has seen them either promoted or relegated between the top two divisions in each of the last four seasons. A commanding 7-2 away win at Waterloo who came down from Division 1 with them last season, but wont be going back up with them this term, being a fourth away win of the season coupled with an unbeaten home record and a 19-point cushion to the nearest threat to another promotion.

Shepley and Milnsbridge A occupy the two places above the relegation line at present so adding an edge to this week's fixtures between the two teams. Shepley used home advantage to run out 6-3 winners, leaving both teams with a comforting 14-point gap to the relegation places. That 14-point gap to Almondbury Lib may be reduced further today when

Almondbury Lib play their catch-up fixture at home to Lindley BC A later today. Home form is going to be imperative for any team fighting relegation. That is bad news for the Almondbury team who have only won 2 home matches all season (v Broad Oak A and Hemplow A) and are on a run of 9 consecutive home and away defeats.