Winter League
A preview of the final day of the season for Divisions 1 & 2 league matches
Bowlers and spectators at Milnsbridge are warned that excavation work is being carried out in eight locations around the green to install water sprinklers and everyone should be aware of these at all times. Stay safe.
Wednesday is also the closing date for entries into the Winter Cup qualifying rounds at Milnsbridge and Springwood. Online entry form.
Thorpe Green A need just two points from their final Division 1 match on Wednesday to secure a first title success. Lower Hopton have pushed them all the way but losing the two matches between the teams by the same 0-8 scoreline looks like proving decisive and looks ever more likely to hand over the title they have won for the last two years.
Should Thorpe Green A lose their final match against Lowerhouses A 0-8 and Lower Hopton whitewash Kirkheaton Con A then the teams will finish level on points. In such circumstances, the 'Aggregate For' total decides the title winners. Currently Thorpe Green hold that advantage 861-832.
A match against the bottom team, Lowerhouses A, provides a clear base to acquire those two points for the Champions-elect whilst Lower Hopton have to face Kirkheaton Con A.
The Kirkheaton team are playing two matches on the final Wednesday with a 10.00am start against Golcar Lib starting proceedings.
The match between Meltham and Clayton West will see the loser occupying the third from bottom place which will probably result in their relegation should the likely reorganisation into 8-teams per division go ahead. High stakes indeed.
The losing team will be joining already relegated Golcar Lib and Lowerhouses A and will be joining a highly competitive Division 2 next season also featuring the promoted Hanging Heaton and Marsh United teams.
Thorpe Green A bowler, Ian Briggs, aims to win the Division 1 Top Bowler award which a last-day win will secure for him. Should that win not come about then it could open the door to Adrian 'Crafty' Cooper to push past him by winning his two games on the final day. He would still need to improve on his 'Average Difference' to overtake Ian as that comes into play when the 'Games Won' total is shared. Ian was the runner-up to Graham Hirst last season and Crafty was the runner-up the previous season again to the same winner, Graham Hirst of Lower Hopton.
In Division 2 the focus is on the second promotion place battle with Lindley Lib A and Denby Dale level on points. The Denby Dale side would have preferred not to face the Division 2 Champions, Cowcliffe A, at this stage of the season but that is where they are whilst the Lindley Lib A side take on local neighbours Lindley BC B.
Should that gridlock hold good after this week's matches then it goes down to the 'Average Difference' to determine the running order with Lindley Lib A holding a strong advantage already as the detailed table below shows.
Brockholes A have completed their fixtures and sit in 6th place one spot above the bottom three who could all find themselves relegated. They could still be overtaken by two of the teams below them in the table as things become tense as teams try and stay out of the bottom three. Nothing less than an 8-0 win for Springwood A in their match against Milnsbridge A will suffice but two points for Lockwood Con A against bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Recreation Club A will see them out of the likely drop zone.
With free bacon butties for all bowlers as a thank you for the support of all teams throughout the season it promises to be a good day all around.
The Division 2 Top 10 Bowlers table below shows the dominance of the Cowcliffe A team with team bowlers filling the top four places with Derek Hewitt ahead and cannot be caught so he claims the Top Bowler award and the impressive glass bowl Lily Rose Trophy that goes with it.
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