Veterans League
Continuing my 2025 preview of each Division in the Huddersfield Veterans League for the amusement of all local bowlers with a look at the teams in Division 3 of the 6-Man League. The review, as ever, includes my tips for promotion and relegation which rarely have any resemblance to the end-of-season tables. Regardless of all that here we go again.
Division 3 like Divisions 2 and 4 has 11 teams in it. Only four of those 11 were actually in the same division last season. A major reorganisation of the divisions sees 7 teams relegated from Division 2 to join the four non-movers. The one team that finished higher than any other team who are in Division 3 this season is Lindley Lib B whi finished last season in 8th position in the old Division 3. For that reason alone they have to be considered serious contenders for honours this year. I also understand that Lindley Lib A have strengthened their team so that could release some bowlers to take up positions in their Division 3 team this season.
There is no alternating jacks syndrome to build into the thinking as that only applies to Division 4 matches in 2025 which doesn't really help in building a picture of what the top of the table might look like at the end of September. Denby Dale always strikes me as a team that can do better than they end up doing and the potential is there, in my estimation, to do better things this year. It was only two years ago that they were in Division 2 and they were a bit unfortunate not to attain an immediate return to that level last season. So they get my vote along with Lindley Lib B to stride away at the top of the pile.
Elland C&BC were well adrift of every other team in Division 2 last season and may not have finished their free-fall to a final level yet so they get my tip to continue dropping down the Divisions. They weren't helped by starting life in the League in the top division two years ago and I fear that losing habit may still have more reason to continue. I think they will be accompanied through the relegation trapdoor with another team that endured that experience last season but which one? Hemplow have entered a B team into the League this year and how that may help their A team's chances I have no idea so I will go with them to drop once again. Sorry.
Top Tips: Lindley Lib B and Denby Dale
Drop Tips: Elland C&BC and Hemplow A
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