Full round-up of results from Divisions 3,4 & 5

Veterans League

Completing the review of the opening round of 10-Man League fixtures with all the results and tables from Divisions 3,4 and 5 played on Tuesday.

Three Division 3 teams recorded opening day 7-2 wins but only one those was an away victory. That came from Springwood who claimed the points at Linthwaite Hall although it was tight for the aggregate bonus points with a 124-122 outcome. The other two 7-2 winners to share the top spot in the day one table are Brockholes A and Hemplow A. The Brockholes team edge into top spot with a better Aggregate For total as they beat Almondbury Lib 138-84 which doesn't bode well for the Almondbury side who suffered relegation from Division 2 at the end of last season. The other team on the wrong end of a 2-7 scoreline were Lindley Lib B losing out to a Hemplow A team who they finished last season higher up the end of season table.

I expected Slaithwaite to push Thorpe Green all the way in their opening day encounter in the manner of a team just missing out on promotion last year against a team that were one place off relegation. Maybe Thorpe Green are turning the corner after a couple of years struggling to capture their form of days gone by. A 6-3 home win was a good start for the Thorpe Green team against a team expecting to be involved in the promotion race again this year.

Another strong opening day performance came from Paddock I&C who won 6-3 away at Marsh Lib A with a 125-124 aggregate score outcome being key in that result. Lockwood Con B had a good start to life in Division 3 after their promotion by beating Holmfirth A 6-3 to threaten to become involved in another promotion push again this year.

The biggest win of the opening day Division 4 fixtures came from Huddersfield RUBC who were only one point off a 147-point total (146-102) and had to settle for an 8-1 home win over Primrose Hill Lib. That puts them one point ahead of three teams who all collected seven points from their first fixtures with two of those being away from home. Marsh United B and Skel Windmill collecting the points from their trips to Netherton Con B and Huddersfield Recreation Club respectively. This was an encouraging start for Skel Windmill after losing their last 17 matches last season so a first win since April 2024 is a step in the right direction.

Ravensknowle Park being the third 7-2 winners when they saw off last years Division 5 promoted David Brown Sports team. A 122-122 drawn aggregate scoreline saw Milnsbridge B edge the points 5-4 against Kirkheaton C&BC A who are aiming to better last season's third place finish and only one point off the Division 4 title. There was another 5-4 scoreline as Thongsbridge B won away at Meltham B which reflects their finishing positions last season.

Dalton missed out on promotion from Division 5 last season by a single point and started their 2025 campaign in determined fashion clocking up an 8-1 best win of the day result when beating Hemplow B. That result puts them clear at the top but being followed by four teams who all recorded 6-3 opening day wins. Two of those came from away wins for New Mill B and Lindley BC B at Holmfirth B and Almondbury BC B respectively. The other two 6-3 winners being Broad Oak B and Kirkheaton Con B.

Greenhead Park defied my tip for them to finish in the bottom two by winning away from home which is something they only managed to complete once all last season. This week it came at Kirkheaton C&BC B with a 5-4 scoreline after a 118-106 aggregate win and maybe there are more to come.