Veterans League
Marsh United 'A' are the Division 2 Champions after a resounding 7-0 home win over Paddock I&C clinched top spot with one match still to play. At the start of the day they knew that they needed 6 points from their remaining 2 matches but didn't need 2 matches to clinch matters and the target was reached with a minimum of fuss.
They were aided by second-placed Skel Windmill 'A' going down 2-5 at Holmfirth 'A' a result that pushes the Holme Valley side firmly into the promotion frame, They are now only 3 points off the second promotion place with two matches still to play for both teams.
However one of their two remaining matches is away at the home of the 2022 Champions so it is a big ask to expect them to overhaul the Windmill team who have away matches at New Mill 'A' and Slaithwaite to complete their programme.
All four matches in Division 2 ended up as home wins with Clayton West helping to send Meltham to the foot of the table after a 7-0 home win. That coupled with Skel Windmill 'B' beating Lindley Lib 'B' saw the Skel side reignite hopes of avoiding the drop and are now just 2 points off safety if they can pass New Mill. The Windmill 'B' team play Meltham next so the opening is certainly there for them if they are up to the task. With Meltham's two remaining fixtures are against the two teams immediately above them in the table so an intriguing finale to the season.
Honley Con inched a point nearer the Division 1 leaders, Shepley, after both recorded away wins last Monday. Shepley won 5-2 at Linthwaite Hall whilst the Honley side beat Lockwood Con 6-1. Shepley have a 3-point advantage with 2 matches left for both teams with the crunch likely to be Shepley's away trip to 4th placed Netherton Con 'A' still to come.
Six matches in Division 1 last Monday and only one home winner and that was a bit of a surprise. Lowly Lindley Lib 'A' surely put an end to any last hopes Golcar C&BC had of winning the title after they beat them 4-3 with the aggregate bonus points proving crucial in determining the final outcome. That win looks to have come too late to save the Lindley team from relegation as Longwood need just 2 points from their last 3 fixtures to secure Division 1 status for another season. Thongsbridge 'B', Brockholes 'A' and Crosland Moor all added to the away team's dominance this week.
Golcar Lib recorded a good 6-1 Division 3 away win at Primrose Hill Lib to extend their lead at the top to 8-points ahead of Almondbury Lib who ended any hopes Hemplow may have had about gate-crashing the promotion race with a 5-2 away win. The Almondbury side now need a maximum of 6 points from their last two matches to secure promotion although the title now looks beyond them as Golcar Lib need 7 points from their final 2 matches to take the title. Those 7 points may be collected in their next match away at bottom-of-the-table Brockholes 'B'.
Hemplow secured the only home win in Division 3 when beating Holmfirth 'B' 6-1 and Marsh United's 6-1 away win at Brockholes 'B' means that they are no longer involved in the Wooden Spoon contest with Shepley 'B' and Brockholes 'B' being left to resolve that matter between them with the Shepley team favourites to reverse the standings as at the end of last season.
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