One hand on the title for Lowerhouses

Veterans League

Review of the Divisions 1 & 2 results from matches played on Tuesday 12 August

Lowerhouses won the top of the table Division 1 clash against their nearest rivals, Longwood, to confirm and extend their lead at the top. A 6-3 win translated into an 8-points lead with just 6 fixtures left to be fulfilled. The order in the bottom four remains unchanged despite 2 of the 4 teams having good home wins. Meltham A and Marsh United A both recorded 6-3 scorelines against Golcar Lib A and Lindley Lib A respectively. Waterloo stay bottom after losing 2-7 at Lockwood Con.

Kirkheaton Con A moved up a place to 4th after beating 3rd-placed Clayton West 6-3 and overtaking Cowcliffe who went down 3-6 at Rastrick. One incident in this match highlights the highs and lows that bowling can bring to even the most battle-hardened bowlers.

Last two pairs in the match are on the green. It is 20-across. The away pair have fought back from 13-20 down to draw level and have the jack for the last end - or is it? After swapping advantage the teams arrive at the penultimate situation. The visitors lay one-on with the home team holding the last wood to be played. It is sent down and sneaks through to trickle against the jack and the bowler's partner turns and salutes his teammate and lifts his arm to signal one-up. As he turns around he notices, as do his opponents, that the wood has had one belated final turn to throw the win in doubt. It is now the turn of the two away bowlers to raise their arms, claiming the point needed to win the game. The pegs are called for.

The measurers make three attempts to agree the outcome before settling for the draw and a dead-end. Both teams have had their valid claims and neither has ended up with the final-needed point as the match moves into its 29th end. It is a long mark (if there is such a thing on the Kirkheaton postage stamp green) favoured by the visiting pair that sees them sitting one on in a crowded dip of the green. "Fire" shouts the home team bowler at the business end to his teammate with the last wood in his hand. There is to be no further drama as his final attempt to get that final point misses by the tightest of margins to complete the visitors' fightback and collect the extra point. The match score favours the home team on a day when bowling was the real winner.

A first 9-0 win of the season for Elland WMC enabled them to extend their lead to 7 points over their neighbours Elland C&BC at the top of the Division 2 table. The Elland C&BC team also won their Tuesday home fixture with a 6-3 scoreline over Almondbury BC A which sees their lead over Shepley reduced to 11-points and the two teams due to meet in the penultimate week of the season.

That 0-9 reversal was a major setback to New Mill A's survival hopes as they now sit firmly in the 2nd relegation spot. However with the three teams around them in the dropzone still to play in their final 6 fixtures there is still good reason to be positive. Golcar Lib B don't have such a fixture programme in front of them as they have to play both of the Elland teams before the season finishes. They may take comfort from this week's 5-4 (117-115) home win over Lindley BC A but whether 'comfort' can be translated into points remains to be seen.

Netherton Con A are also scrambling for points to avoid the drop and this week secured 5 more points towards that cause when beating Denby Dale who remain within their range. Milnsbridge A had a good 5-2 away win at Broad Oak A to pass their rivals in the table and go 4th but are still 17-points short of the 2nd promotion place.