Veterans League
A review of matches played in the 10-Man League on Tuesday 26 July
There was a setback for Golcar Lib 'A's title hopes when they went down 3-6 at Cowcliffe (who go third) on Tuesday which saw their Division 1 five-point lead disintegrate as Kirkheaton Con 'A' narrowed it down to just 2 points after an 8-1 home win over Lindley Lib 'A'.
The heatwave postponement did Lindley Lib 'A' no favours as they won their last match before the break clocking up an excellent 7-2 away win at Cowcliffe but haven't been able to build on that since.
Behind the leading trio sit four teams all on the same 74-point mark. Waterloo were without a match this week with Marsh United 'A' and Elland C&BC 'A' both recording 6-3 wins but Lockwood Con 'A' slipped up 4-5 at Meltham 'A' who made it an 8-match unbeaten home run with this win.
Clayton West produced their 2nd away win of the season at Rastrick who were losing at home for only the 2nd time this season. The two teams are now 8th and 9th in the table but separated by 8-points as the divide between the top half and bottom half becomes more pronounced.
Almondbury BC 'A' have dropped from being the biggest threat to Division 2 leaders Milnsbridge 'A' to third place after a second consecutive home defeat this time to Slaithwaite who completed a League double over them. Lowerhouses took full advantage of the situation with a 6-3 away win at Lockwood Con 'B' to confirm 2nd place.
Netherton Con 'A' could have gone second with a big home win over New Mill 'A' but the visitors spoilt the party by clocking up a 5-4 win and making it 7 wins in their last 8 matches. Brockholes 'A' recorded their 3rd and biggest win of the season when beating Broad Oak 'A' by 7-2 although they remain well adrift at the foot of the table.
Thongsbridge 'A' surprisingly lost 2-7 at home to Hemplow 'A' and Bradley & Colne kept in touch with the leading bunch after a 7-2 home win over Thorpe Green who are worryingly getting separated from safety at an alarming rate which is what can happen when you lose 6 matches on the bounce.
Denby Dale lost ground in the race for the Division 3 title after losing 2-7 at Golcar Lib 'B' and allowing Linthwaite Hall to pass them and go top after their 7-2 away win at Huddersfield Recreation Club.
Marsh United 'B' won 6-3 at Holmfirth 'A' for a first away win of the season and that, coupled with Springwood's 1-8 defeat at Kirkheaton C&BC 'A', saw the two strugglers swap places. Lindley Lib 'B' and Almondbury Lib are just above the relegation places and met each other this week with Almondbury Lib taking the honours on the Lindley Lib green.
Skel Windmill are on an upward path and their 6-3 home win over Paddock I&C, makes it four wins on the trot and they move up another place to third.
Ravensknowle Park reclaimed top spot in Division 4 from Meltham 'B' after a 6-3 home win over improving Brockholes 'B' at the same time as the Meltham 'B' team were losing by the same 3-6 scoreline at Elland C&BC 'B'. Lindley BC 'B' suffered a second consecutive defeat and the first this season at home as the Rugby Club recorded a 7-2 away win and moved into promotion contention by moving up two places to fourth.
Milnsbridge 'B' won for the first time on the road this season with a 5-4 win at Primrose Hill Lib and creating a firebreak between themselves and the bottom four teams from which the two relegated teams are likely to become. Two of those went head-to-head on Tuesday with New Mill 'B' hitting a 6-3 home win over Almondbury BC 'B'. Thongsbridge 'B' remain firmly rooted to the bottom after a fifth successive defeat this time at Outlane by 2-7.
Kirkheaton Con 'B' extended their lead at the top of Division 5 to 15 points with a whitewash away win at Hemplow 'B' a result that was a little flattering with two of the games going to 20 and another to 19. All the same 9-0 away from home is always going to be a great result. Dalton moved into 2nd place despite losing at home for the first time this season going down 4-5 to David Brown Sports. Marsh Lib conceded the second promotion place as they had no match this week but remain well in contention for an end of season promotion success.
There were 8-1 home wins for Broad Oak 'B' and Greenhead Park over Kirkheaton C&BC 'B' and Netherton Con 'B' respectively to confirm their better league positions and both heading towards a final mid-table secure position.