Top 2 in Division 3 clash this Tuesday

Veterans League

Preview of the 10-Man League Divisions 3, 4 & 5 fixtures scheduled for Monday 2 June

We have a top two tussle in Division 3 as the leaders Almondbury Lib entertain Lindley Lib B. On a run of five straight wins after an opening day defeat sees the leaders 5 points ahead of 2nd placed Lindley Lib B. Holmfirth A are level on points with the Lindley team and could expect to overtake their rivals this week as they have a home fixture against relegation placed Paddock I&C.

Things get very tight after third-placed Holmfirth with no less than five teams within one point of each other. Two of those five confront each other on Tuesday as Brockholes A host Thorpe Green. Slaithwaite lead that pack of five and they have to go to a Springwood team that is struggling to produce a strong rearguard action as they are becoming sucked into the relegation battle. Linthwaite Hall are also very much in the relegation mix and would dearly love to produce a stellar performance against Hemplow A to pass them in the table.

Lockwood Con B sit at the foot of the table but have a home match this week against Marsh Lib A which is one they are capable of winning but only if they turn up in the form that secured them a win against the high-flyers of Holmfirth A earlier in the season.

Hemplow A and Brockholes A both have two matches this week when they meet each other on Thursday in their catch up fixture. Two good wins for either of them could propel them right up into the promotion battle.

Skel Windmill are one of only three teams (the others being Elland C&BC and Lindley BC B) in the 10-Man League with 100% win records and it would be a shock if that record went in their Tuesday Division 4 fixture away at lowly Primrose Hill Lib. A good win could extend their current 8 points lead as second-placed Marsh United B are pitched against 4th-placed David Brown Sports who are just one point behind them. The Marsh team have lost their last two fixtures whilst David Brown Sports are on an unbeaten run of three which has moved them right into contention for a promotion place. A win on Tuesday could secure that for them.

Kirkheaton C&BC A are right in that promotion mix sitting third after winning their last three fixtures but have to travel to play a Thongsbridge B team this week that has played 4 of their 6 fixtures away from home so may be sat in a false position.

Huddersfield Recreation Club have won 3 of their last 4 matches and will fancy their chances away to relegation-threatened Meltham B. That just leaves Huddersfield RUBC and Milnsbridge B to sort matters out between them locked together in 5th and 6th places.

Bottom of the table Netherton Con B are suffering through team-raising problems with two bowlers short in their last match for the second time this season. A home fixture against fellow-strugglers Ravensknowle Park is not the time to be handing points to a rival in this manner especially as those rivals are on a high after claiming their 2nd win of the season last week.

Kirkheaton Con B are the new Division 5 leaders although they only hold a one-point lead over their two main rivals. You really don't want your next fixture after topping the table for the first to be an away meeting against your local rivals. That is what faces the leaders as they go to play Kirkheaton C&BC B this Tuesday. With the two teams poised to take advantage of any slip up and the nearest of those, Dalton, with a home fixture against bottom-of-the-table Holmfirth B things could change.

The long-term threat could come from Lindley BC B who have a 100% win record but will need to be at their best away at Hemplow B who have won all three previous home fixtures and are on the fringe of joining the promotion chase. Greenhead Park are similarly poised to join in that chase but that resolve will be tested by Brockholes B who sit one point behind them in the table.

There are only 4 points between the bottom 6 teams and two fixtures this week feature teams in that group up against each other. None of those four won their last match so will all be looking for a change in fortune. The B teams from Marsh Lib and New Mill go head-to-head and then another B team clash between Broad Oak and Almondbury BC completes the Tuesday programme.