Divisions 2 and 4 leaders both lose

Veterans League

Review of the 6-Man League results from Monday 10 August

Division 1 leaders, Clayton West A, were pushed all the way before edging their fixture away to Netherton Con A by 4-3. That enabled Marsh United A to peg a couple of points back from the leaders after a good 6-1 away win at Golcar C&BC and the gap is now down to 8 points.

Broad Oak A slipped up badly and they are now third but 21 points behind the leaders after a surprise 1-6 away defeat at bottom-of-the-table Skel Windmill A. That was a first win in seven for the Skel team and could prompt a late-season recovery to help them close the 10-point gap to safety. Thongsbridge A remain wedged between bottom place and safety after a commendable 83-83 drawn aggregate scoreline away to Slaithwaite but that translated to a 3-4 defeat.

Shepley's run of three straight wins ended with a 2-5 defeat away to Lindley Lib A who certainly need the points to fend off challenges from the bottom two teams. Waterloo made it three wins on the bounce with a 5-2 home win over Milnsbridge A.

A first home defeat of the season for Division 2 leaders, New Mill A, by Marsh Lib A 5-2 saw them lift a place to 4th position but 16 points behind the leaders. Brockholes A were the real winners of that surprise reversal for the leaders as they clocked up a 5-2 away win at relegation-threatened Milnsbridge B. That put them two points behind the New Mill team. Bottom-of-the-table Brockholes B did their A team club mates a power of good by beating third-placed Holmfirth A 5-2 for only a third win of the season. Their timing was good as the three teams above them in the table all lost their matches this week and the bottom side now have all three within their range.

Golcar Lib B made it eight Division 3 wins on the bounce with a 6-3 home win over Lindley Lib B and move into the second promotion place nudging Hemplow A aside who went down 1-6 away to Marsh Lib B. Thongsbridge B confirmed their status as the table-toppers with a 7-0 whitewash home win over mid-table Linthwaite Hall and they were one of the six home winners this week.

It is getting quite congested at the foot of the table with just 7 points separating the bottom four teams and everything to play for. Greenhead Park move off the foot with a 4-3 home win over Primrose Hill Lb for a first win in eight but there is much work still to be done if they intend to avoid the drop this season.

A big shock for the Division 4 leaders as Netherton Con B lost 0-7 at home to third-placed Hemplow B and only a second defeat all season. Despite that impressive record they only have a 8-point lead over the chasing pack led by Meltham who struggled to a 4-3 home win over Skel Windmill B.

At the wrong end of the table Brockholes D collected a second win of the season when beating Greenhead Park B 4-3 whilst Brockholes C and Shepley B were beaten with Thongsbridge C the victors at Shepley.