Veterans League
Focus in the 6-Man League this week is on the bottom of the top two divisions as the season approaches the halfway point and teams start to take stock of their chances of promotion and survival.
In Division 1 it seems that Linthwaite Hall are doomed to the drop and have been put in a division too high for their re-introduction to Veterans League bowling. Hopefully that experience will hold them in good stead when they seem certain to be operating at a level more suited to their capabilities next year. But who goes down with them is the real question. Lindley Lib 'A' and Lockwood Con are the next two teams in danger of relegation with 8-points between them and a head-to-head encounter this Monday. Lockwood Con will have been heartened by a great 5-2 home
win over leaders Shepley 'A' last week whereas the Lindley side are on a run of 6 consecutive defeats but do have home advantage where both their wins to date have come. They really need a good win to begin to close the gap on the Cons or their fate may be solved sooner rather than later.
Table leaders Shepley 'A' will want to quickly bounce back to winning ways after their shock 2-5 away defeat at Lockwood Con last week but that set of results saw them still hang on to their one-point lead. This Monday they entertain Netherton Con who are in that chasing group of six teams all within 4 points of the leaders and on a run of three 5-2 wins. Crosland Moor and Honley Con being the nearest threat just one point off the top and they take on Thongsbridge 'B' away and Longwood at home respectively this week. With Linthwaite Hall as visitors, Golcar C&BC will fancy their chances of a big win and a move in the right direction as they enter a run of 4 fixtures against teams lower down the table than themselves. Milnsbridge and Brockholes 'A' are in that chasing pack of 6 teams but one may be dropping out after the two teams meet up this Monday.
Division 2 focus is also on the battle at the foot of the table with 5 teams within 5 points of each other trying to avoid the two relegation places. With the bottom two facing each other and both on the back of wins last week means a keen encounter is expected. In fact Meltham have won their last two matches and will go to play Skel Windmill 'B' in good stead which may be bad news for the two teams immediately above them, Lindley Lib 'B' and New Mill, who both have away matches this week. Neither of those looks inviting as both take on top four teams and Lindley Lib 'B' will do well to halt Slaithwaite's challenge to the leaders, Marsh United 'A' who travel to play at Holmfirth 'A'.
The top four teams in Division 3 have four points between them and they all avoid each other in this week's programme. Golcar Lib lost their first league match of the season last week and conceded the top spot to their conquerors, Marsh Lib, at the same time. They have the ideal recovery match to get them back on track this week at home to bottom of the table Brockholes 'B' who can expect a reaction from the previous leaders. Marsh Lib will do well to hang on to their 2-point lead at the top with a derby match at Marsh United 'B' who have had big wins in their last two matches. Hemplow and Almondbury Lib make up that leading quartet and they will do well to narrow the gap to the top two as Hemplow have to go to Greenhead Park whilst Almondbury Lib host Holmfirth 'B' who have won 3 of their last 4 fixtures only being beaten by the new leaders.
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