Focus on two key areas this week

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 31 August

The new chart below highlights the Division 1 fixture programmes for the top two teams as they begin their run-in to the end of the season when one of them will be crowned the 2026 Six-Man League Champions. Clayton West have a 6-point lead at present and are the defending Champions so they know what it takes to win this title. Last year Marsh United A finished just 5 points behind the leaders in third place. Waterloo were squashed between the two leaders then but are now well out of contention in 4th position and 22 points off the pace. The standout fixture shown in the chart below is the last match of the season when the top two go up against each other and as a neutral I look forward to a last-day decider with the chaser having home advantage over the leader.

The key Monday fixture in Division 3 is between the teams in 3rd and 4th positions as Holmfirth A have a home tie against Marsh Lib A. Only the winner of that match will have a chance of catching and overtaking New Mill A for the second promotion place. Currently 8 points behind them and totally dependent on them dropping points before the end of the season although that could happen this week as they have to travel to play 5th placed Almondbury Lib.

Brockholes A should extend their 6-point lead with a good home win over a Denby Dale team on the verge of dropping into the relegation places. Paddock I&C need to use home advantage against Milnsbridge B to avoid extending their 4-match losing run Brockholes B will go to Lockwood Con more in hope than confidence of what a first away win could mean to their survival chances.

The Division 3 focus of attention is on the relegation places as illustrated in the chart below with four teams fighting to stay clear of the 2 places that will send them down into Division 4.

Bottom team Greenhead Park A have their destination in their own hands as they have two fellow strugglers on their run-in programme. Seven points off safety and matches against Marsh Lib B and Lindley L ib B still to come. If they can win both of those matches then they have a good chance of bridging the 7 point gap that currently divides them from a safe position. They certainly will not want to rely on needing a final day away win against the Champions-in-waiting Thongsbridge B.

Marsh Lib B also have their future in their own hands with the two bottom teams still to play and a 5-points gap as some insurance as well. If they do not pick up points from those two games then things become more difficult for them as their other two fixtures are against top four opponents including away to the leaders, Thongsbridge B.

Form can bring momentum but also the opposite, so Greenhead Park A with only one win from their last 10 matches are in serious trouble. Whereas Marsh Lib have won their last three home matches so their key to safety is clearly on their own green. Lindley Lib B have one win from their last 6 matches but that was at home to Thongsbridge B showing their potential. Two wins in their last five for Elland C&BC promises them some hope coupled with a final day home match against Marsh Lib with the loser dropping down the likely outcome.

Hemplow B have their Division 4 match this week being played on Friday at Thongsbridge C so may find themselves way out of touch of the leaders, Netherton Con B, by the time they take to the green. They are two points behind the leaders but should probably be more aware of third-placed Meltham pinching the 2nd promotion place from them by Tuesday night. Meltham will expect to beat Brockholes C to push the Hemplow team aside and claim that 2nd place for now.