New Mill thrives on pressure

Veterans League

Preview of Tuesday fixtures in Divisions 3,4&5 in the Veterans 10-Man League

New Mill A have been cruising along at the top of the Division 3 table almost all season so far and last week saw off their nearest rival, Golcar Lib B. They will have to revisit that form this week as they have to play away against 3rd-placed Linthwaite Hall who are on a run of three straight wins after a slow start to the season. It would take a big home win to eradicate the 6 points gap there is currently between the teams but it is doable. Meanwhile expect Golcar Lib to bounce back from that first defeat of the season when they have a home match against relegation-threatened Paddock I&C.

Springwood are already seriously adrift at the foot of the table with a 10-points gap already in place as a result of no wins this season. A visit to play fifth in the table Brockholes A wouldn't have been their first choice to start their recovery especially as they lost for the first time last week and Springwood could feel the backlash of that.

There are only two 100% win records still intact in the 10-Man League with Lowerhouses in Division 1 and Kirkheaton Con B in Division 4 and the Kirkheaton team will not expect to lose that enviable record when visiting 11th-placed Milnsbridge B this Tuesday. Despite being unbeaten, they still don't top the Division 4 table as RUBC hold that position courtesy of a better Aggregate For (657-652) total. With a home match against Marsh United B this week they will expect to at least match the Kirkheaton teams points tally to stay ahead in the race for the title.

That of course is not good news for Milnsbridge's hopes of lifting themselves clear of the drop zone but with only four points between the bottom four teams one good result can change everything. However with the bottom four playing the top four they may have to settle for crumbs rather than cake this week which are unlikely to bring about big changes.

The top four teams in Division 5 are playing each other this Tuesday with the top two having home advantage which is likely to be a major factor in retaining the status quo. Broad Oak A are the leaders and they welcome Primrose Hill Lib to their green with a five-point difference between the teams. That leaves 2nd in the table Netherton Con B to host Holmfirth B and home advantage should add to that two-point difference there is between the two teams at present.

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