League News
Veterans 10-Man League
The much-awaited showdown between the two prime contenders for the Section 1 title produced an emphatic 8-1 win for the defending Champions, Lockwood Con 'A'. That win over Elland C&BC 'A' completed a July double for the title-holders over their major challengers and opened up an 11-point gap between the teams. It was such a convincing win that the impact on the Elland side is even greater as they slip to fourth place with Golcar Lib 'A' and now Waterloo emerging as the major threat to Lockwood's continuing dominance as they look to extend even further their hold on the title which currently covers the last 6 playing seasons which is already a League record. Golcar Lib 'A' are in their best run of form very many years and this week's 5-4 away win over Lindley Lib 'A' was their 8th win in their last 9 fixtures. It was never easy for them as can be seen by the aggregate score of 122-118 which enabled the Golcar side to edge the points despite losing 4 of the 7 games. In the preview write-up for this week's fixture programme I bemoaned the lack of away wins for the Waterloo team damaging any aspirations of challenging for the title and an immediate response was provided as they went to Meltham 'A' and won 7-2 for only their second away win of the season but enough to put them third, their highest position for many years. Cowcliffe, Longwood and Marsh United all had good wins as well this week to keep their names very much in the frame for a top three finish.
Kirkheaton Con 'A' continued doing what they have been doing every alternate Tuesday all season which is win away from home. Eight away matches to date have all been won and this week was no different as they overcame Bradley & Colne to register a 7-2 scoreline and stretched their lead at the top of the Section 2 table to 24 points. That will be reduced on Friday when the teams in 2nd and 3rd positions play each other in their catch-up fixture with Broad Oak 'A' having home advantage over third-placed Lindley BC 'A'. The teams switched positions on Tuesday when Broad Oak 'A' went down 4-5 at Almondbury BC 'A;' when the aggregate score went against them 127-132 and swung the balance of points to the home side. Lindley BC 'A' took full advantage by beating Shepley 8-1 to leapfrog into second spot but that could all change after Friday's confrontation. Home wins for Thorpe Green, New Mill 'A' and Moldgreen 'A' kept them all in the mix as well. Paddock won for the first time in five matches and moved off the bottom of the table as a result for the first time for several weeks. The 7-2 home win over fellow strugglers Brockholes 'A' was the only win by a bottom half team this week and will have shook the Badgers who could be looking at a second consecutive relegation if things don't start to improve soon.
The Brockholes 'B' side are also in dire straits as well in Section 3 but you wouldn't think so looking at this week's 7-2 home win over top 3 team Holmfirth 'A' which left Holmfirth dropping to 3rd spot although only 2-points separate the top three teams. Leaders Lowerhouses also lost going down 3-6 at Golcar Lib B who moved in closer to the top trio but still some work to do to join in the promotion battle. Slaithwaite took full advantage of their two main rivals slipping up in the race for the section honours by beating Springwood 7-2 and stepping into second place as a result. It is not only interesting at the top of this Section but also at the bottom where the bottom three teams all won this week to shake up those teams free-wheeling in mid-table but now awakened to the fact that there is some way to go before lots of matters are settled in this Section. As well as Brockholes 'B' winning there were welcome wins for Outlane (6-3 over Marsh United 'B') and Meltham 'B' (5-4 over Lindley Lib 'B') which included a 108-108 aggregate draw.
Section 4 leaders Denby Dale beat Lindley BC 'B' by the same 8-1 scoreline twice in a fortnight to introduce a 4-point cushion lead over the Huddersfield Recreation Club and with a game in hand. That double whammy hit Lindley BC 'B's promotion hopes as they slip to third and that is 12 points off the second promotion spot. It could have been worse as Milnsbridge 'B' and Elland C&BC 'B' missed out on passing them by losing 3-6 at bottom team Kirkheaton Con 'B' and 3-6 at home to Huddersfield Recreation Club respectively. Almondbury BC 'B' made it 5 wins on the bounce to move out of an immediate threat of relegation with a 5-4 away win at Netherton Con 'B' who stay second bottom as a result.
Wins for the top three teams in Section 5 means no change in the running order and little alteration in the gaps between the leading hopefuls. Leaders, the Rugby Club, have only lost once in their last 7 matches and the scores are becoming more emphatic with a 7-2 home win over Dalton being the latest step to the title but they still only have a 3-point lead over New Mill 'B' who had a 6-3 away win at Broad Oak 'B' and Marsh Lib maintain their interest in proceedings with a 6-3 home win over Greenhead Park which is a setback to the Park's own aspirations to join in the fun at the top and they remain fourth for the present.
HuddWeb is now providing weekly postings covering the Matchday Preview and Results Round-Up for 5 local bowling leagues - the Mirfield League, Ladies Works League, Veterans 10-Man League, Veterans 6-Man League and the Huddersfield Winter League. Trying to fill the gap left by The Examiner.
VETERANS 10-MAN LEAGUE BOWLSNET PAGES
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