Veterans League
The 10-Man League has its first round of fixtures the Tuesday with just matches in Divisions 1 & 2. The other three divisions crank up in 7 days time.
The top four Division 1 finishers from last season are all in action on the opening day with Lockwood Con the only one with a home fixture when they welcome Meltham. Champions Golcar Lib 'A' go to Waterloo and runners-up Kirkheaton Con 'A' are at Longwood.
Lockwood Con 'A'will be looking for a stronger start than was the case last season if they are to harbour any hopes of returning to the level of performance that saw them clock up 7 consecutive Division 1 titles which ended with a third-place finish last year.
The two promoted teams, Milnsbridge 'A' returning to Division 1 after a two-year sabbatical and Lowerhouses a first visit to the top level for 40 years. Milnsbridge start with a home fixture with Clayton West whilst Lowerhouses travel to Cowcliffe. They are two lower half of the table finishers last year and along with Meltham may find themselves involved in a relegation battle this year.
Meltham managed to stay up with a combination of factors last year and a strong start may be key for all three with Meltham at Lockwood Con 'A' having the most difficult opening day fixture.
In Division 2 the two promoted teams are Linthwaite Hall and Holmfirth 'A' and both have opening day home fixtures with Linthwaite Hall welcoming Shepley and Holmfirth 'A', back in Division 2 after a 10-year stretch in Divsion 3, hosting relegated Lindley Lib 'A'.
Lindley BC 'A' were the other team dropping down from Division 1 and they look like a team too strong for Division 2 but not consistent enough to retain Division 1 status. We therefore expect to see them again around the top of the table and a home match against last season's strugglers, Thorpe Green, could give them the opportunity for the perfect start to their resumption of bowling at this level.
Only 2 points separated the three teams behind last season's promoted duo and things may be close between them all again this time around. Two of those teams meet each other on the first Tuesday of the season when Almondbury BC 'A' welcome Netherton Con 'A'. New Mill 'A' had a strong finish to the 2022 season and they will be looking to carry on where they left off when visiting Thongsbridge 'A' to open their season.
Good luck to all the teams, enjoy the bowling.