Veterans League
A review of the results from the 6-Man League matches played on Monday 12 August
Division 1 leaders and defending Champions, Marsh United A, suffered their first 0-7 whitewash defeat since June 2021 when going down to Skel Windmill A on Monday. That loss reduced their lead at the top to 3 points from the 8 it was previously and that has opened up the title race with the top four teams, which includes Skel Windmill A, all taking a more active interest in the destiny of the coveted trophy.
Waterloo and Shepley A both sit on 82 points, just 3 behind the leader after both clocked up home wins this week. Waterloo go 2nd on a better Aggregate For total of 1699-1694 after a 6-1 win over Lindley Lib A followed by Shepley A who beat Milnsbridge A 5-2.
The bottom four teams all had away fixtures this week and all lost them resulting in no position changes at all in the relegation zone. Lockwood Con stay bottom after a 2-5 loss at Netherton Con and Paddock I&C suffered a 0-7 whitewash defeat at Slaithwaite to stay in the relegation places but further adrift of safety. Crosland Moor lost 1-6 at Golcar C&BC to stay 8 points behind Lindley Lib A. Brockholes A improved on their situation by winning 5-2 at home to Thongsbridge A and have now won three on the bounce to move clear of relegation worries for now.
Although Clayton West have only lost one Division 2 match all season they cannot shake off the threat that Bradley & Colne and Marsh Lib A bring with their persistence in claiming more points than their title rivals. Same again this week as Clayton West won for the 18th time in 19 matches but only collected 4 points from their match at bottom-of-the-table Elland C&BC whilst their two main rivals both collected more than that.
Bradley & Colne continue to offer the greatest threat and a 6-1 away win at Lindley Lib B closed the gap to the leaders to just 4 points with Marsh Lib A a further 3 points behind after a 5-2 home win over Holmfirth A where an 83-82 aggregate scoreline was key in the outcome.
Despite the Elland team's good performance against the division leaders they remain seriously adrift at the bottom of the table and 15 points behind their nearest rival. That is now Hemplow who drop into the 2nd relegation place after losing 1-6 away at Milnsbridge B which took the winners out of the relegation places and up 3 places to 10th spot. That saw them overtake Greenhead Park A who lost 2-5 at home to New Mill and Linthwaite Hall who narrowly missed out at Golcar Lib 3-4 with only a 2 chalks difference 77-79 in the aggregate scores denied them a bigger payout.
Division 3 leaders Brockholes B don't play until Friday this week giving Denby Dale the opportunity to close the gap. However they failed to take full advantage of that when scrambling to a 4-3 home win over Meltham losing the game count but taking the aggregate bonus by 5 chalks. A 6-1 home win for Thongsbridge B over Skel Windmill B retains their interest in the promotion race with Denby Dale now within their range.
The battle of the bottom two teams went the way of the home side as Marsh United B beat Shepley B 6-1 to move up a place passing Greenhead Park B who were on the wrong end of a 0-7 defeat at Holmfirth B.
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