Every up and down place still to be decided

Veterans League

Preview of the Tuesday fixtures in Divisions 3,4&5 of the 10-Man League

Not one Champion, Promoted or Relegated team can be confirmed yet in the bottom three divisions with only two weeks to go in the 2026 season. But the fate of some of those teams will be decided this Tuesday.

With all teams with two matches still to be played it is possible for them to pick up another 18 points before the season ends. That means that not one title destination or promotion or relegation place can be confirmed yet. Some of those outcomes will become apparent after Tuesday's fixtures are played out, and one of them could be the Division 3 title. New Mill A are 10 points clear of their nearest rival, Linthwaite Hall. With a home match against lowly Holmfirth A, they could rack up a 9-0 win, which would see them wrap up the title chase. What is more likely is that they will claim the four points that will secure them a promotion place.

At the other end of the table it looks like the two relegation places will be taken by two of the bottom four teams although none of the teams up to 5th placed Kirkheaton C&BC A are mathematically safe yet. The Lindley Lib B versus Skel Windmill fixture holds the key to one of those places that will see them playing in Division 4 next season. Four points adrift and playing away from home will make life difficult for the Skel Windmill team in staying out of the way of the relegation threat which promises to stay with them for the final day of the season when they have a home fixture against Paddock I&C, the only team below them in the table.

Any of the top five teams in Division 4 can become the Champions or claim the second promotion place. Kirkheaton Con B are in the driving seat and could clinch a second successive promotion with a home match against Ravensknowle Park this Tuesday. They have already beaten their opponents twice this season, once by a 9-0 scorleine away from home as well as having a 100% home win record.

Marsh Lib A also have a 100% home win record and will expect to extend that sequence with a win over the 4th placed Rugby Club who have to play their last two fixtures both away from home. The challenge for Marsh Lib A is to beat the two teams immediately below them in the League to clinch promotion or even the title. Third-placed Thongsbridge B are their final-day opponent who they have to play away from home so a big win is imperative for them this week as some insurance against the growing threat from below.

Brockholes B are Thongsbridge B's next opponents and the long-threatened relegation is likely to be confirmed this week. Four teams remain in the picture to go down with them although they all avoid meeting each other this week but the final day fixture between Ravensknowle Park and Brockholes B could be key in sorting out one of those places.

The top two teams in Division 5 could both clinch promotion this Tuesday by collecting four points from their respective away matches. But both teams will have their eyes on the bigger prize of the Division 4 title. Level on points, both teams have to face mid-table opponents this week, who have little to play for but that means nothing in bowling terms. It could come down to splitting the two teams by the better Aggregate For score which currently favours Netherton Con B by 34 points at 2524-2490.

The wooden spoon will probably go to Greenhead Park or Almondbury BC B who are also on the same points total and have just 8 points between them in their Aggregate For totals of 2341-2333 so meaning that every game point really does count.