5 Matches of the Day

Veterans League

Preview of the top matches in each of the 5 Divisions of the 10-Man League

Five Match of the Days to preview with one from each of the five divisions starting with the tussle at the foot of Division 1. Div.1: Lindley Lib A v Lindley BC A

The League is keeping tight-lipped about how many teams are to be relegated from Division 1 this season despite the best efforts of some clubs to learn of their intent. If only one team is to go down then it is probably one of the Lindley teams. If it is two going down then it is probably both of the Lindley teams. The Lindley derby match this week may help to further that outcome with just two points between the home team, Lindley Lib 'A' and their Tuesday guests, Lindley BC 'A'. However they are some 16 points from safe ground behind Longwood who have to go to Marsh Utd A.

The Bowling Club registered their 2nd win of the season last week after a run of 13 consecutive defeats whilst the Liberal Club did beat Lockwood Con 'A' in their last home match so if they reproduce that form again this week then the outcome will be a formality. After this week both Lindley teams have 5 matches left to play so that means they need to surpass Longwood's weekly total by 3 points per match to pass them. As both teams have to play Longwood over that period then there is still some hope of salvation for both, or neither.

Div.2: Netherton Con A v Almondbury BC A

Milnsbridge 'A' have a 19-point lead at the top of Division 2 with a pack of four teams chasing them separated by 2 points. Two of those four teams go head-to-head this week when Almondbury BC 'A' have to go to Netherton Con 'A'. Almondbury still have to play the other 3 teams in the top four positions starting with this one this week. Whereas the Netherton side have to play the leaders and four teams from the bottom half of the table after this Tuesday's fixture.

Neither team is in promotion form with Netherton Con only winning 2 of their last 5 matches and even worse for Almondbury with only 2 wins in their last 6 after topping the table only a few weeks ago.

Div.3: Denby Dale v Linthwaite Hall No doubt about the Division 3 Match of the Day as the leaders, Linthwaite Hall, have to go to 3rd-placed Denby Dale who have a match in hand but trail their opponents by 9 points so lots to play for. The reverse fixture in May saw Denby Dale humble the leaders by 8-1 at Linfit since when the Linthwaite team has won 8 of their 10 fixtures whilst Denby Dale have won 5 out of 9 to slip a little off the pace.

That has enabled Holmfirth 'A' to get wedged between the pair and they will have a big say in the outcome of the promotion places as they have to play both of their prime opponents in the remaining 6 weeks of the season. A repeat of that 8-1 scoreline would change the whole complexion of the title race and with Holmfirth in close contention, Linthwaite could even find themselves mugged and out of the promotion places if they are not careful.

Div 4: Ravensknowle Park v New Mill B It is an important week for two teams who meet after both suffered 0-9 defeats last week as try and get their seasons back on track albeit at opposite ends of the Division 4 table. A shell-shocked Ravensknowle Park tries to recover from last week's shock away whitewash defeat by Primrose Hill Lib which left them 5 points behind leaders Meltham 'B', although with a game in hand. Their fragile confidence will be tested by a New Mill 'B' side who have lost their last three fixtures to find themselves at the foot of the table with last week's 0-9 loss at the hands of a rampant Outlane to add to another 0-9 defeat in the past month and their bottom of the table placing.

Div 5: David Brown Sports v Marsh Lib It is 2nd versus 3rd in Division 5 as David Brown Sports are desperate for a win as they are 5 points behind their rivals having played one match more than them so anything less than a win could be decisive in the competition for a promotion place. The two teams directly behind them in the table, Dalton and Broad Oak 'B', meet this week and both have played a game less than them and a defeat this Tuesday could take them right out of the promotion picture altogether. At least DBS go into the match in their best form of the season having won their last 5 matches whilst Marsh Lib have lost 2 of their last 5 so tense times for a few teams in the division this Tuesday.