Veterans League
Preview of the fixtures in the Veterans 6-Man League for Monday 29 April
The top six teams in Division 1 are kept apart in this week's fixture programme as the teams are neatly one point apart down to 8th position in the table. The top three all have away fixtures with the leaders, Slaithwaite travelling to Lockwood Con, second-placed Skel Windmill A are at Milnsbridge BC A and previous leaders Brockholes A are at second-from-bottom Paddock I&C.
Last year's top two teams meet up as reigning Champions, Marsh United A, host Golcar C&BC with just two points separating them at present. Lindley Lib's home advantage over Netherton Con could prove decisive in increasing the 3-points gap currently between the two teams. Crosland Moor and Waterloo are separated by one point and three positions which could all change instantly this Monday.after they meet and Thongsbridge A are well positioned to take maximum advantage of a home match against bottom-of-the-table Shepley A.
The new Division 2 leaders and unbeaten, Marsh Lib, will be tested away at Bradley & Colne after the hosts claimed their first win of the season last Monday. The other unbeaten record belongs to Clayton West and they will expect to extend that run with a home fixture against Lindley Lib B. New Mill sit in the middle of the top three but have to face 4th-placed Golcar Lib although they do that on their home green.
Elland C&BC sit at the foot of the table, five points adrift of the next team and the only one in the bottom five with an away fixture this week. Things don't look promising and a trip to fellow strugglers Almondbury Lib could make things infinitely worse if the result and performance goes the wrong way.
Linthwaite Hall and Hemplow will be looking to pick up some valuable points from their home matches against Milnsbridge BC B and Longwood respectively which could bring their opponents back into the relegation mix.
Denby Dale sit in second place in Division 3 but are without a match this week so presenting new leaders, Brockholes B, with an opportunity to widen the gap and with a home match against Thongsbridge B they will expect to do that. Third-placed Greenhead Park B have started their first season in promising style and with a home match against Thongsbridge C this Monday will be looking to take advantage of Denby Dale's week-off to claim second place for themselves.
Fourth-placed Brockholes C would like to narrow the gap on their teammates in the B team and a trip to play a struggling Meltham side still looking for a first win of the season may present them with as good an opportunity as they are likely to get. Bottom-of-the-table Shepley B have home advantage over Primrose Hill Lib and Holmfirth B have to travel to play Marsh Lib B and with Skel Windmill B at home to Marsh United B which could provide the kick-start they need to push on into the top three which a big win could provide. There are more matches on Thursday as the Preliminary Round of the Julie Fuller Trophy is scheduled but more of that later in the week.