Tuesday programme previewed

Veterans League

Preview of Tuesday fixtures in the Veterans 10-Man League Divisions 1&2

Some of the bowlers from Clayton West and Marsh United will have seen more than enough of each other this week, as in a repeat of the Monday 6-Man League fixture programme the two teams meet again on Tuesday in a 10-Man League Division 1 clash. However, this is not a top of the table meeting but two teams more used to challenging at the top end of the table than they are at present. Both teams seem to be on the mend after a slow start to the season but both are in catch-up mode. Clayton West have won 4 of their last 5 matches and the Marsh team have won 3 of their last 5 fixtures to show positive signs of recovery. but there can only be one winner when they meet at Clayton West this Tuesday.

Another slow starter is the Cowcliffe team who have finished in the top five for the last three years but find themselves in a relegation place at present. An away trip to play Kirkheaton Con A may make it more difficult to recover their position as they go into the match with a record of one win from their last three matches.

Rastrick have been punching above their pay grade this season and sit comfortably in second position at present before going to play at Golcar Lib A this week. The Golcar team have been traditionally strong at home but not this season, having lost more home matches than they have won to date.

Division 2 leaders, Meltham A,are making a strong bid for an immediate return to Division 1 and with another home fixture on Tuesday against Denby Dale they will be looking to build on their 5-points lead at the top. They may be helped in meeting that target as the two teams in 3rd and 4th position, Lindley BC A and Thongsbridge A, go up against each other. Second placed Netherton Con A may be aided as they take on bottom-of-the-table Hemplow A who haven't won a match since the opening day of the season. That means that they have had eight consecutive defeats and amazingly 7 of those 8 have all been by the same 2-7 scoreline.

With Hemplow A now being 7 points behind their nearest rival and 9 points from safety their cause is starting to look pretty bad. They will need some help from their rivals and that could start with Broad Oak A this week as they have to travel to play Almondbury BC A who have won 4 of their last 5 matches. Milnsbridge A are also on the verge of being a major player in the relegation battle with an away match this Tuesday at Almondbury Lib who sit one place above them. Also factor into the equation the Shepley team who are on the same 33 points total as Almondbury Lib and have to play away at Waterloo this week.