New Division 1 leaders make it tight at top

Veterans League

A review of the fixtures played on Tuesday 13 May in Divisions 1&2 of the 10-Man League

The last Division 1 100% win record went on Tuesday when Kirkheaton Con A lost 3-6 away at Clayton West. Along with Lowerhouses winning the Leaders v Champions match when disposing of Longwood on their own green by 5-4 which in turn enabled Golcar Lib A to go clear at the top after an 8-1 home win over Meltham A. That was rewarded by a three position leap from 4th to 1st for Golcar Lib whilst Lowerhouses, despite that good win at Longwood, drop two places to 5th in what continues to be a congested top half of the table. There are only 3 points between the top 5 teams in what could become the closest title chase for some years, or maybe not.

At the foot of the table things look bleak for Waterloo as they suffered a fifth consecutive defeat when going down at home 2-7 to Lockwood Con A. That puts the Lockwood Con team on 20 points which is just above the relegation places and the same total as Lindley Lib A and Marsh United A who played each other on Tuesday where the home side ran out 7-2 victors. Rastrick's run of three straight wins ended at Cowcliffe where they went down 3-6 but remain in the top half of the table, one place above their Cowcliffe conquerors.

The top two teams in Division 2 are stretching their lead after both recorded good away wins this week. The two Elland teams have made the top two places in the table their own since the opening day of the season and Elland C&BC now have a 6-point lead over their neighbours after a 7-2 away win at Almondbury BC A. Elland WMC in turn have a 7-point lead over their nearest challengers, Shepley, after they won 6-3 away at New Mill A whilst Shepley were going down 3-6 away at Thongsbridge A.

Denby Dale started the day at the foot of the table some 6 points behind Netherton Con A. They ended the day ahead of the Netherton Con A team after beating them 8-1. With only 3 points between the bottom four teams there is clearly a lot to play for. Golcar Lib B are in that quartet and a 2-7 defeat at Lindley BC A did them no favours at all. Milnsbridge A beat Broad Oak A by 6-3 to swap places with those opponents and are now two places ahead of them in 4th place.