Is this match a JFT Final rehearsal?

Veterans League

Preview of the Veterans 6-Man League fixtures for Monday 1 June

The Slaithwaite versus Clayton West A Division 1 Monday fixture could be a rehearsal of the Julie Fuller Trophy Final as both teams are the favourites in opposite semi-finals. But that is for another day as today's focus is on the real challenge facing the League leaders today. Both teams have Won-4 Lost-1 records this season along with three other teams squashed between them but there are six points between them at present. However home advantage for the Slawit team could present the biggest threat to the Clayton West team's of retaining their Champions title for another season. Last season the Slaithwaite side suffered defeats in both of these fixtures and the Clayton West team appears to be even stronger now so a repeat of that is not beyond the scope of the Champions.

The three teams wedged in between the 1st and 5th placed teams all have away fixtures this week. If Shepley can build on their first win of the season last week, a 7-0 home win over Lindley Lib A, then they may be a real threat to Marsh United's chances of catching the leaders. Broad Oak A have the most difficult looking fixture away to 6th placed Waterloo whilst Milnsbridge A will expect to turn over Lindley Lib and move closer to the leaders.

The two teams holding the two relegation places also have away fixtures this week making their tasks all the more difficult. Thongsbridge A are at Golcar C&BC and Skel Windmill A have to travel to meet Netherton Con A and both of those home teams have won both of their home fixtures this season.

Top match in Division 2 this week is the meeting of the teams in 2nd and 3rd positions as Brockholes A are away at New Mill A. The teams have the same Won-4 Lost-1 record and both are on the same 25 points mark and both came down from Division 1 last season when the New Mill team completed a League double over their closest rivals. Both are making a determined bid to return to the top level but may well be testing each other for the second promotion place behind the current leaders, Holmfirth A. Having finished third in the Division 2 table last year they have started the new season in style. This week they go to play at Denby Dale where the home team have already beaten New Mill A this season to show their capabilities.

Longwood are the only team still looking for a first win of the season and that could come on Monday as they have a home match against a Paddock I&C team that has had a tough start to the new season. They have already played the top four teams, winning the most recent of those away to Lockwood Con.

Thongsbridge B have a great opportunity this week in closing the 4-points gap to the Division 3 leaders, Hemplow A, when they host relegation-threatened Lindley Lib B. The Hemplow side have a trip to play at Greenhead Park A and will be aiming to extend their 100% win record over a team 12 points behind them in the table.

Crosland Moor could move in on the top two with a good away win at bottom-of-the-table Elland C&BC. It is very tight at the foot of the table with eight teams within four points of each other. Four of those eight have home fixtures this week which must be won to divorce themselves from relegation rumours. As well as including Elland C&BC in that foursome, Broad Oak B, Marsh Lib B and Clayton West also feature and those three currently head that tight group of eight teams at the wrong end of the table.

Four points separate the top six teams in Division 4 and only two of those six have home matches to look forward to this week. They are the leaders, Marsh United B, and the in-form Meltham team. The Marsh United B team position may be false as they have played more matches than any other team in the Division but will expect to pick up maximum points when hosting bottom of the pile Shepley B. Meltham host Greenhead Park B after winning their last three matches, two of them away from home but Monday's opponents have only lost to the League leaders this season so will be no pushover that is for certain.

Third-placed Thongsbridge C could pick up some useful points away to a Brockholes D side still looking for a first win of the season. New Mill B will want to confirm their second in the table status when travelling to play Holmfirth B, especially as they have won both of their previous away matches this season. The mid-table tussle between Skel Windmill B and Netherton Con B could go the way of the away team as the Netherton team have only lost to title challengers Thongsbridge C this season to date.

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