Veterans 10-Man League
Review of matches played on 31 August
Four of the five section leaders won their league matches this week as all five retained their leadership and pushed on with their title aspirations. The Section 1 leaders, Lockwood Con 'A', were aided by Waterloo's win over their main challengers Elland C&BC 'A' with a 6-3 win in a low-scoring match. That in turn promoted Waterloo's own bid to gatecrash the top two as Elland were the only losers in the top five. The leaders had a solid 6-3 home win over Marsh United 'A' and their lead was extended to 7 points as a result but they will be aware that they have still to visit Waterloo. It increasingly looks that the second relegation place is between Netherton Con 'A' and Meltham 'A' as this week's results enabled the Netherton side to creep two points closer and the gap is now just one point with the meeting of the two teams coming up which will be a tense affair.
With Section 2 leaders Kirkheaton Con 'A' having a 27-point lead the focus is on the second promotion slot with New Mill 'A' emerging as the main threat to Lindley BC 'A' and that was emphasised when the two teams met this week. New Mill took full advantage of being on their own green to run out 7-2 winners and their 10-match winning run has now pushed them within 2 points of second place. After three consecutive 4-5 defeats Milnsbridge 'A' got their own challenge back on track with an impressive 8-1 away win at Bradley & Colne. Paddock I&C had a first win in six when beating Shepley 7-2 but it all looks to be too little too late although that may change if they can beat the the two teams immediately above them although both those games are away from home so it is a big ask especially as they haven't won an away match all season.
The top 3 all won in Section 3 but it is the Golcar Lib 'B' result that catches the eye as a 9-0 home win over Outlane saw them inch into 2nd place ahead of Lowerhouses who had a good 7-2 away win at Springwood. Leaders Slaithwaite also had a 7-2 away win, this time at Meltham 'B' to retain their 3-point lead but have to meet the Golcar side next week in a key encounter. With the bottom three all losing this week the 6-3 home win for Marsh United over Holmfirth 'A' saw them move 14 points ahead of the bottom threesome who are left engaged in the relegation battle.
Huddersfield Recreation Club were the only Section leader to lose this week going down 3-6 to third-placed, but 24 points adrift, Lindley BC 'B' and just hung on to the Sectioaren 4 topspot although Denby Dale now only one point behind them with a game in hand. The bottom three teams all lost their away games to retain the status quo with next week's match between Netherton Con 'B' and Thongsbridge 'B' could prove decisive in the fight to stay up.
Marsh Lib seriously damaged their chances of promotion out of Section 5 when going down 3-6 at Holmfirth 'B' as New Mill 'B' and Huddersfield RUBC both won their away games to consolidate their positions in the promotion places. The final day's fixture between the two leading teams could be a title decider if things continue as they are with just a point between them. Kirkheaton C&BC 'B' had a good 7-2 home win over Hemplow 'B' to move away from the bottom two who both lost and have to play each other twice in the final two Tuesdays of the season and as they are currently locked together on the same 64 point mark that should prove decisive.
VETERANS 10-MAN LEAGUE BOWLSNET PAGES
Comments