Veterans League
A full 10-Man League fixture programme this Tuesday along with a couple of catch-up matches later in the week but only one team can clinch a title this week. Once again we look at the top match in each of the five divisions and also look at which teams need what to either win the title or promotion or avoid relegation.
Div.1: Lindley BC A v Elland C&BC A With no obvious title decider this week I've gone for the issue at the foot of the table this week as only a 0-9 home defeat can send Lindley BC A through the relegation trapdoor with another two matches still to play. Their opponents are Elland C&BC A who can no longer mathematically win the Division 1 title but still stand in the way of the Lindley club's last stand
Who Needs What?
At present Meltham need a 9-0 win from their final match at Cowcliffe next week to finally avoid relegation but that target may have eased after this week's round of fixtures which exclude Meltham without a game.
Only the top three teams can now win the title with the last match of the season between Golcar Lib A and Kirkheaton Con A increasingly looking like the title decider.
Div.2: Milnsbridge A v Netherton Con A The Netherton Con A team dislodged Almondbury BC A from the second promotion spot after last week's 9-0 home win over Bradley & Colne and probably need to repeat that scoreline to ward off the growing threat from Lowerhouses.
They couldn't have a more difficult opponent this week than away to the
leaders Milnsbridge A who have lost 2 of their last 3 matches and still need wins from their last 2 fixtures to clinch the title and promotion. I am sure that Milnsbridge would like to wrap up proceedings this week rather than having to chase a target in their last match of the season away at Thongsbridge A next week. A big win would help them but they also need some of the other results to go their way now to seal matters before the last week scramble for points adds extra pressure to things.
Who Needs What?
Lowerhouses need 20 points from their last 3 fixtures to guarantee Division 1 bowling next season.
Milnsbridge need 5 points from their last two matches to clinch promotion and a total of 11 more points for the title.
Thorpe Green need 4 points from their last two matches to send Brockholes A down and they need a total of 16 more points to secure their own place in Division 2 for next year.
Both Hemplow A and Slaithwaite can still be relegated and need 5 and 6 more points respectively to avoid the drop.
Div. 3: Linthwaite Hall v Kirkheaton C&BC
A 7-2 home win in this match will see Linthwaite Hall clinch promotion but they are relying on Holmfirth A getting beat at Denby Dale to add the Division 3 title to that achievement this week. After languishing in the bottom half of the table all season Kirkheaton C&BC A have suddenly found their best form to win their last 3 matches including that remarkable 9-0 away win at Denby Dale.
Who Needs What?
7 points from their last two matches will win promotion for Linthwaite Hall
Any 2 of the top 6 teams can still mathematically win promotion
Any of the bottom 10 teams can mathematically still be relegated
Div.4: Meltham B v Ravensknowle Park
Meltham B continue to lead the 12 teams in Division 4 but the growing threat from Outlane is ever-present and with the teams level on points and Outlane with a match in hand this is no time for the Meltham boys to slip up. Meltham are the only top 5 team playing at home this week and they need to take full advantage of that when they meet fourth-placed Ravensknowle Park.
Whilst Outlane remain the threat to Meltham's title aspirations, it is Ravensknowle Park that presents the biggest threat to their promotion hopes. Just 8 points behind with a match in hand and an opportunity this week to make inroads into that difference makes this a key match for both teams. Ravensknowle led the table for the first half of the season but have stuttered recently to only win 3 of their last 7 fixtures and that needs addressing if those promotion hopes are to be realised. The Park's form hasn't been any better with only 2 wins from their last 5 matches so everything is up in the air with lots at stake.
Who Needs What?
19 points from their last 3 matches will secure the title for Outlane
Only the top 2 teams are mathematically safe from relegation
Who Needs What?
Kirkheaton Con B are already promoted
They need 4 points from this week's home match against Marsh Lib to clinch the title
Marsh Lib need 9 points from their last 3 fixtures to gain promotion
With 10-points between the bottom 5 teams mean the destiny of the Wooden Spoon remains in limbo
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