Race on for Division 3 2nd promotion place

Veterans League Preview of the 10-man League Divisions 3,4&5 fixtures for Tuesday

With the Division 3 leaders, New Mill A, having established a 14 points lead the focus is on the race for the second promotion place with three teams within 2 points of each other. One of that trio is the Brockholes A side who this week have the difficult task of entertaining the New Mill A team.

The other two rivals for that 2nd place also have home fixtures. Golcar Lib B host a Lindley Lib B team firmly in the relegation quagmire and in their next three fixtures are up against the three teams chasing that second place in the table slot, so no easy games to look forward to. Linthwaite Hall have won 5 of their last 7 matches and this week face a Paddock I&C team looking for a few easy points to confirm their continuing Division 3 status for next year. They probably wont find them this week but they do have some easier fixtures coming up against 2 of the bottom 3 teams, although both are away from home.

Holmfirth A have won their last three home matches and will need to keep that run going with Thorpe Green their visitors this week if they are to retain any viable hopes of moving out of the dropzone. The two teams immediately above them in the table, Skel Windmill and Slaithwaite go head-to-head, with Slaithwaite's away record of only winning once and that was at Holmfirth A, not the foundation they will need to win this key encounter.

As long as Marsh Lib A have no hangover from their defeat in the Bistro Final on Friday we expect them to bounce back to defend their lead at the top of the Division 4 table when they visit Huddersfield Recreation Club on Tuesday. Their away form needs to improve if they are to maintain their interest in the title with only two away wins all season and they were against the current two bottom teams. In contrast, second-placed but with a match in hand Kirkheaton Con B, have won five of their away matches and will relish a trip to play at David Brown Sports.

Thongsbridge B and the Rugby Club will continue to press the top two and both have home matches against bottom half of the table teams, Marsh United B and Ravensknowle Park respectively, they really must win to retain any interest in the promotion race. It is also imperative for Ravensknowle Park to pick up some points from their trip to the Rugby Club to stay clear of the relegation places.

The top two teams in Division 5 are separated by one point and both have must-win home fixtures on Tuesday if they intend staying clear of third-placed Primrose Hill Lib. The leaders are Netherton Con B who entertain Kirkheaton C&BC B who have played a match less than the five teams above them in the table. Broad Oak B have Dalton as visitors this week and a home win is imperative to ward off the threat from the Primrose Hill Lib team who are playing away at bottom of the table Marsh Lib. However with only one away win all season, the Pip Hill side will not be confident of a win especially as the Marsh Lib side are fighting to lift themselves off the foot of the table.

Lindley BC B can say goodbye to any lingering hopes of gate-crashing the promotion race if they don't win at Greenhead Park this Tuesday. Without an away win since the first Tuesday in June they need to up a gear to get back in contention.