Veterans League
There are no 6-Man League fixtures this week as the Julie Fuller Trophy reaches the Quarter-Final stage this Monday (4 July) with the full draw and neutral greens listed below.
So let's take a look at each of these ties and see if we can tease out the potential results and any surprises.
Marsh United 'A' (1st, Division 2) v Clayton West (4th Division 2) An all-Division 2 clash with the leaders having beaten Clayton West once already this season in a league fixture by 5-2 but that was on their own green. Marsh have already beaten two fellow Division 2 teams to reach this stage so another same division opponent is unlikely to worry them too much. There is no difference in the handicap with both teams on +4. Marsh United are on a good run of four straight wins whilst their opponents have lost 3 of their last 4 matches so the form vote goes to Marsh United to win. Golcar C&BC (2nd Division 1) v Brockholes 'A' (5th, Division 1)
An all-Division 1 meeting with reference to league form showing that the Golcar side had a comfortable 6-1 win on the Brockholes home green back in early May. Since then however the Brockholes team are unbeaten in six matches and are now only 3 points behind Golcar in the league table. Close call with the Golcar outfit likely to edge it especially as they have a 4-point start in the handicap.
Note: Match now postponed to Thursday 7 July due to Golcar C&BC member funeral
Almondbury Lib (2nd, Division 3) v Lockwood Con (10th, Division 1)
A potential giant-killing result but it is much more clear-cut once you look at the formbook. Lockwood Con may be in a low league position but winning their last two matches has eased any thoughts of relegation and they are now 13 points clear of the drop zone. One of those two wins being a 5-2 home win over the League leaders so they are in their best form of the season. Couple that with the fact that the Almondbury side has only won one league match off their own green all season points towards a win for the Division 1 outfit although they do have an 8-point handicap total to overcome. The Almondbury team did beat Division 1 opponents, Milnsbridge BC, in the last round but that relied on their handicap advantage to win by 2 points. So the Division 1 side to prevail for me.
Shepley 'A' (1st Division 1) v Slaithwaite (2nd, Division 2) Reigning League Champions and current Division 1 leaders will be confident in beating all-comers so why should they fear a Division 2 team? One good reason being that Slaithwaite beat them in the same competition last season and then they went on to lift the title for good measure beating two more Division 1 teams along the way. In addition Slaithwaite have already beaten two Division 1 sides to reach this stage of the competition and have an 8-point handicap advantage. Tie of the Round in this competition and let's plump for a repeat of last season's meeting and give Slaithwaite the vote which should mean immediate relief from their opponents that I am not tipping them.
Good luck to all the teams. I am sure that I have put the mockers on at least one of those teams by backing them to win. The four winners will all progress to the Semi-Finals which will be played on Monday 1 August.
the tie between Golcar C&BC and Brockholes isnt being played until thursday 7th july,due to a Golcar C&BC members funeral on the 4th.