Winter League
Review of the final set of Winter League fixtures from Monday 17 February
What a cracking finale we had to the League season with a Division 7 programme that had real drama in all four matches played simultaneously. The main focus was on the fight for the second promotion spot with three teams level on points going into the last day of the season. Hanging Heaton B, Kirkheaton Con B and Marsh Lib fighting for one place to take them up a level into Division 6 for next season.
Kirkheaton Con B started the day on 62 points with a total of 714 'Aggregate For' points which put them just two 'Aggregate For' points behind Hanging Heaton B and 33 points ahead of 4th placed March Lib. With all three contenders on the same 62 point mark it was clear that they were all under pressure to perform and any dip in form could be final. Kirkheaton Con B had the most difficult fixture when taking on Champions Cowcliffe B and they were the first to crumble losing the first singles game (8-21) and the pairs (20-21) to eliminate themselves from the reckoning as both their rivals took the two opening games to leave the matter between them.
Marsh Lib took the initiative by winning their final singles game 21-13 to complete a whitewash win over Meltham B. They could do no more than win 8-0 and leave it up to the Hanging Heaton team to handle the pressure. Nothing less than an 8-0 win would do as the pairs game progressed. A last-game defeat would end Hanging Heaton's promotion hopes. Things looked ominous as their RUFC opponents went into a 17-11 lead. Plenty of spectators were still around the green as the tale unfolded and the Hanging Heaton fightback picked up pace.
Steady bowling saw them draw level at 19-19 with their opponents holding the jack. As we entered what was to be the final end a good first RUFC wood lead landed less than a foot away from the jack. Dave Whitaker, the Hanging Heaton captain, planted his first wood inside that mark and then added another with his second wood which no one could disturb to send the victory cheers from their supporters with promotion assured. A truly tense affair with strong nerves as key as good bowling on the day.
There was another matter that had been resolved prior to the fitting climax and that was between the two bottom teams both already relegated. Broad Oak A held a 4-points lead over Lockwood Con B with the Lockwood team needing a final day 8-0 win to avoid the wooden spoon. That gap remained at the same 4-points difference after the teams shared a 4-4 draw to complete their seasons.
Three photos to complete the last day stories starting with Cowcliffe B the Division 7 Champions along with their trophy.
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