6-Man League Easter Monday Preview

Veterans League

Preview of the 6-Man League fixtures for Easter Monday

42 of the 45 teams in the Veterans 6-Man League have fixtures on Easter Monday

The Division 1 Match of the Day sees the two teams immediately behind the leaders, Thongsbridge A, facing each other. Clayton West are level on points with the leaders and this week have to travel to play 3rd placed Waterloo. This will be the real acid test for both teams as Clayton West put their unbeaten record on the line against their closest rivals. The winners of this fixture are not even assured of a top two placing with Shepley in 4th place on the same 9-points total as Waterloo. With Shepley having a home fixture with a New Mill A team still looking for their first win of the season things could change rapidly in the running order come Monday tea-time.

There is nothing guaranteed about Thongsbridge A's position either as they are only on top due to a narrow (188-185) better Aggregate For total than their nearest rivals. Last season they only won two away matches all season although one of those was at Tuesday's opponents, Netherton Con A as part one of a League double last season and more of the same will be required if they are to hang on to top spot.

Last season's Champions, Marsh United A, find themselves in a bottom-four position with an away trip to play fellow strugglers Golcar C&BC so a real first 14-pointer of the season for both teams. Brockholes A have started the season badly with two defeats and an away match at Milnsbridge A coming up this Bank Holiday weekend means things are not getting any easier.

The Slaithwaite versus Skel Windmill A meeting looks interesting as a move into range of the top spot is likely for the winners whilst the losers could be heading for mid-table obscurity so a real pivotal moment in the season looms for both teams.

The three unbeaten records in Division 2 belong to the top three teams and all three have away fixtures this Monday.Of the three Broad Oak have accumulated the most points and lead the way but have the most difficult-looking Monday fixture of the three leaders when they travel to play Lindley Lib A. As a new team in the League they have made an impressive start to the season by beating teams from different ends of the League structure. Wins over Thongsbridge B who were promoted from Division 3 and Crosland Moor who dropped down from Division 1 showed promise but their biggest test to date awaits them when going to play Lindley Lib A who were the highest placed team from last season to be relegated under the League reorganisation.

Marsh Lib A are two points behind the early leaders and this week go to play Golcar Lib who have only played one match but did win that on top o a top half finish last season so no mugs at this level. However the Marsh Lib team did finish one point short of promotion to Division 1 and did complete a League double over Monday's opponents so will be capable and confident of doing the same again this year.

Holmfirth A are the third team with an unbeaten start to the season and make the trip to play Crosland Moor who have their own aspirations of an immediate return to the top division.

Thongsbridge B and Paddock I&C are the two lowest teams with matches this week as they go head-to-head with a target of putting daylight between themselves and Longwood who are without a match this week. A Brockholes B team looking for a first win have home advantage over Lockwood Con to complete the day's programme.

Almondbury Lib have made a tremendous start to their Division 3 season with two big 7-0 wins already under their belts. That gives them a three-point cushion at the top of the table and a home fixture this Monday against lowly Hemplow A should hold few fears for them. Things could get even better for them as their two main rivals face each other as Marsh Lib B host Denby Dale. It was Denby Dale who completed a League double over Marsh Lib B last year and something similar this year could reverse their current top three positions.

Greenhead Park play their first home match on their new home green at Thorpe Green (too many 'greens' in this sentence) this Monday and will be aiming to add to their only fixture to date as they entertain Lindley Lib B who have lost both of their fixtures this season. Mid-table obscurity beckons Primrose Hill Lib and Milnsbridge B unless one of them serves up a big win when the teams meet this week which may be the only incentive the Milnsbridge team need as they were a Division 2 casualty of the restructuring of last year. Holmfirth B play their first home fixture of the season when entertaining an Elland C&BC side heartened by a first win in their last 12 matches last week.

A top two confrontation is the Division 4 top attraction as Hemplow B defend the only Division's unbeaten record when hosting second-placed Netherton Con B. Clayton West B and New Mill B both have home fixtures this week and are aiming for their first wins of the season. Both will be looking for nothing less than 4 points that will secure them that win as they host Meltham and Shepley B respectively.

Last season Marsh United B and Greenhead Park B both beat each other on their opponents home green so on that basis Greenhead Park should be favourites to take the points but we all know that bowling doesn't work like that. Both will be firmly seeking the upper hand and a win to keep their hopes alive of a good season on the horizon.

Brockholes B and Thongsbridge C will be chasing catch-up matches when they meet on Friday and are unlikely to be holding down 3rd and 5th places by then. However the winner of this delayed encounter will be well placed to move into top of the table contention with each being in the pack of six teams separated by one point and chasing the leaders.