Elland teams in winning harmony

Veterans League

Review of Divisons 1 & 2 fixtures played in the 10-Man League on Tuesday 8 July

It is the halfway point of the season as Division 1 leaders, Lowerhouses, head for a second title-winning season. They were the only away winners of the day when beating Golcar Lib A 7-2. With their main rival, Longwood, going down 3-6 away to Kirkheaton Con A it realised a 6-points lead as they turn for home.

Behind the top two, things become a little congested with 5-points separating 6 teams headed by Cowcliffe after their 7-2 home win over Waterloo who are starting to look doomed. Just above them sits Meltham A and they had a good 7-2 home win over Lindley Lib A to reignite hopes of survival. Both teams are in danger of a quick return to Division 2 bowling next year but it looks likely that the form of Waterloo will save one of them from that indignity.

Home wins for Clayton West and Rastrick, both with the 6-3 scoreline ensured that both teams remain in that congested mid-table 6-team bundle.

The two Elland teams continue to set the pace at the top of the Division 2 table and the gap between them narrows again to just one point. Both teams had solid home wins but there is no doubt that the Elland C&BC fixture against Thongsbridge A was the bigger challenge so a 6-3 scoreline is satisfactory without being earth-shattering that they would have craved. Whereas the Elland WMC 8-1 win over bottom of the table Golcar Lib B would be exactly what they would wish for.

Shepley recorded a good 5-2 away win at Milnsbridge A but that leaves them 10 points behind the second promotion place and again failing to make any inroads into that deficit. The defeat for Golcar Lib B did them no favours as two of the four bottom teams won their matches this week to increase the daylight in the dropzone. Netherton Con A had a great 6-3 away win over Almondbury BC A who were losing a third home game of the season which is indeed very unusual for them. It is contributing to their increased concern about their plight and reducing safety gap.

New Mill A were the other bottom four winner this week with a welcome 7-2 home success over fellow-strugglers, Denby Dale. Broad Oak's narrow 5-4 home win over Lindley BC A means they remain clear of involvement of events at both ends of the table despite recording a third successive victory.