Veterans 10-Man League matchday preview for Tuesday 5 April
A division by division preview of some of the top matches scheduled for the opening day of the 10-Man League season.
Division 1 The late withdrawal of Crosland Moor from the Veteran's 10-Man League this year means that Champions Lockwood Con are deprived of an opening day match and will be at the bottom of the first league table of the new season.
That opens up an opportunity for the four teams that finished last season right behind the 7-times Champions to steal a lead over their main rivals. Those four main contenders meet each other so things are likely to be tight when Longwood (3rd last season) have home advantage over Golcar Lib 'A' (4th) and Elland C&BC 'A' (2nd) travel to play Waterloo (5th). The two promoted teams will be able to gauge their chances better after opening matches at Cowcliffe for Lindley BC 'A' and for Kirkheaton Con 'A' who entertain Meltham 'A'.
Division 2 The two teams relegated from Division 1 both have opening day home fixtures against teams that finished last year in the bottom half of the Division 2 table. Both will be looking to start on the front foot and anything less than emphatic wins for Netherton Con (at home to Hemplow 'A') and Thongsbridge 'A' (home to Bradley & Colne) would be a significant pointer and setback to their hopes of a quick return to the top table.
The two promoted teams play each other with home advantage going to Slaithwaite who have Lowerhouses as visitors. They both won their home games against each other last season and as they finished dead level on points last year things are likely to be close once again between them. The three teams that finished last season behind the promoted pair all start the 2022 season with away fixtures with Broad Oak 'A' having, on paper, the easiest task away to Lockwood Con 'B' whilst Thorpe Green have the most difficult intro to 2022 away to Almondbury BC 'A'.
Division 3 The two teams relegated from Division 2 open their season by facing each other and as Paddock I&C beat Kirkheaton C&BC 'A' by the same 7-2 scoreline in both home and away fixtures last season they will be looking for more of the same when travelling to Kirkheaton on opening day. The two promoted teams have mid-table opposition awaiting them on Tuesday as Denby Dale has their shortest journey of the season when they travel down the road to Skel Windmill and Huddersfield Recreation Club host Springwood.
Division 4 The two relegated teams have to play opening day away games and Meltham will be keen for a good start at newly-promoted New Mill 'B' and address the free-fall that has resulted in successive relegation seasons. The other relegated side are Brockholes 'B' and they have to travel to play last year's 3rd placed team from Elland C&BC 'B'.
The Rugby Club move up to this level after winning the Division 5 title last year and they go to Outlane on the opening day to play the side that finished outside the Division 3 drop-zone last year but drop a level due to a re-organisation of divisions.
Division 5
Just four matches in Division 5 as the two Kirkheaton teams sit this week out in a division of 10 teams of which 6 are 'B' teams so their fate may be determined by how successful their respective 'A' teams are.
Team raising problems last year went a long way to forcing Netherton Con 'B' to drop a level and they will hope those days are behind them as they open the season away to Hemplow 'B' who themselves will be looking to improve on their low final position last year. Marsh Lib and Dalton were the top finishers of last season still in the division and they will both be looking to build upon that with winnable opening day fixtures. Both play bottom half finishers from last year with Dalton having home advantage over Holmfirth 'B' and Marsh Lib travelling to play Broad Oak 'B'.