Veterans League Preview of the matches to be played in the 6-Man League on Monday 18 April
There are a couple of interesting fixtures in this week's Division 1 programme of the 6-Man League one involving the clash between newly-promoted Honley Con who currently sits at the top of the table when they go to play Thongsbridge 'B'. The home team finished last season in a close third place and only suffered one home defeat all season so this is likely to be Honley's stiffest test of the 2022 season so far. However, the Thongsbridge side did suffer a 1-6 reversal last week when they played at the other promoted team Golcar C&BC and a similar outcome this week would point to a strong pair making the step up.
The second fixture of particular interest pairs last year's runners-up Netherton Con who take on the returning Lockwood Con side. Both teams have won one and lost one of their opening two matches with one point between them currently. The winner
of this match will inevitably sit above the other in the table come Monday evening so plenty to play for here.
Milnsbridge BC have probably had the most demanding of opening fixtures to date playing last year's Champions Shepley 'A' and new leaders Honley Con and not being overwhelmed in either match bodes well for the future. The fixtures don't get any easier yet for them as they take on newly-promoted Golcar C&BC this week.
Two teams tied together on 7 points in mid-table meet at Brockholes where the home club's 'A' team takes on reigning Champions Shepley 'A'. Another mid-table clash sees Crosland Moor entertaining Lindley Lib 'A'.
The Longwood v Linthwaite Hall Easter Monday fixture has been postponed due to a clash with the new Roger Crowther Memorial Trophy Final being played on the same day and will now be played on Friday 6 May.
Division 2 leaders Marsh United 'A' have a bye week and will probably drop off the top of the table as the two teams immediately behind them both have home fixtures this week. Relegated Paddock I&C will present a potent threat to promoted Slaithwaite and could even go above them in the table if the outcome is right. Clayton West are the other top of the table contender and they are at home to New Mill who have lost both their opening fixtures.
The Skel Windmill derby match presents an opportunity for the 'A' side to open a gap between the two teams and address last year's final positioning where the 'B' side out-performed the 'A' side in the final league table. Hopefully, Lindley Lib 'B' will be able to raise a team this Monday to address their bottom-of-the-table position resulting from their defaulting in last week's programme.
The top two selected teams from Division 3 in the Fantasy League are Golcar Lib and Hemplow. Both teams are undefeated to date and they meet up on the Hemplow green this Easter Monday. There is a second clash of unbeaten teams as leaders Thongsbridge 'A' who go to Marsh Lib where they will do well to hang on to that unbeaten record.
Last season finished with Brockholes 'B' and Shepley 'B' occupying the bottom two places and they have resumed that process again this season. This Monday they meet up at Shepley and a return to last season's situation where they each won their home match 6-1 against the other team will favour Shepley to shoot up the table.
Marsh United 'B' have lost both of their opening matches to date but still sit above Greenhead Park who have won one and lost one of their first two matches. Both teams are on 5 points but the Marsh outfit have a better 'aggregate for' total to edge the league positioning at present. The Park has the opportunity to address that anomaly this week when they play at the Eldon Road home of their opponents. The final fixture this week in this division places the teams in 4th and 5th positions up against each other when Holmfirth 'B' hosts Primrose Hill Lib. Both teams have one win from their first two matches and the winner will retain an interest in positions at the top of the table rather than at the other end.