Veterans League
A first dip into the forecasting of the end-of-season positions of teams in the Huddersfield Veterans 10-man League starting today with a good look at the Division 5 teams. I have to declare a vested interest here being a member of Kirkheaton Cons whose B team play in this Division although I am not a member of this team - yet!
With the Alternate Jacks experiment starting in the bottom Division of the 6-Man League it is a logical extension to take it into the 10-Man League should it be deemed a success in the 6-man. It is also likely that it would be in the bottom Division of that League so things may never be the same ever again for Division 5 teams after this season.
With Division 4 team Outlane the only withdrawal from the 10-Man League that provided an opening for the Division 5 4th placed team - Primrose Hill Lib - to gain an unexpected promotion and they have moved up with Netherton Con B and David Brown Sports. I expect we will be seeing the displaced Outlane bowlers who want to bowl emerging as new members at Thorpe Green. There is one new team to the League and that is a B team from Marsh Lib and they go straight into the bottom division.
Looking at the two teams to drop down into Division 5 this season doesn't inspire any thoughts of an immediate return to that higher level. Brockholes B went down after their worst run of the season, 7 defeats in their last 9 fixtures, so things were not on the mend for them at that time so no sense of a change in fortunes. The other relegated team being Lindley BC B who only won 2 of their last 10 matches and were 34 points off safety. So I am going to dismiss the two relegated teams and take a look at the new boys from Marsh Lib B.
Their A team were the Division 4 Champions last season but do they have the strength in depth or number to support a team to challenge for the top of the Division 5 table? Only 25 bowlers registered with them at present which must be about the minimum you need to support two 10-man teams all season. Take out the top 10 bowlers and have you sufficient talent left to support a push for the top. Maybe not but maybe those getting a game now will develop quicker to aid a future promotion push but not this year for me.
What does that leave us with? Just the teams that started and finished the season in Division 5 of which Dalton were the leaders of that group with a 4th place finish. They have been in the bottom Division since being relegated at the end of the 2017 season. That makes this their 8th consecutive season in the bottom Division. Not a good advert for promotion I'm afraid.
Next in line are my clubmates that form the Kirkheaton Con B team, a more committed bunch of bowlers you wont come across anywhere. Most of them have only been bowling for 2-3 seasons and are getting better so they get my vote to go up this season. Let's hope the A team calls on their numbers don't undermine their hopes and couple that with a more competitive approach by not rotating all the bowlers could bring some success this year.
Taking a bit of a gamble next with a vote for promotion for New Mill B. Last season their results improved as the season progressed and at that rate could be making a bid for promotion especially if they get off to a good start.
Looking at the other end of the table to find two to condemn with my pick for the bottom places. Greenhead Park have finished in the bottom half of the table for the last 3 years and with bowling on their new home at Thorpe Green are going to take some time to get familiar with the surface. Home advantage is always regarded as important in bowling and that will not be the case for some while so they get my vote to struggle this season. Holmfirth B have finished in the bottom two for the last three seasons so have a lot to prove and whilst I wish them well and trust that they will still enjoy their season they get the thumbs down from me this year.
TOP TIP: Kirkheaton Con B and New Mill B
DROP TIP: Greenhead Park and Holmfirth B
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