52 Entries so far for 2023 Winter Cup

Winter League

Winter Cup Finals Day 2022 with sponsor Garry Senior showing off the new trophy

With 10 days to go before the closing date (25 January) we have 52 entries received so far for the 2023 Winter Cup competition and more are expected. Last year there were 60 entries across the 3 divisions. This year, of course, we have 5 divisions and more bowlers so hopefully the total will mirror that increase in team numbers.

Entry numbers by division received to date are: Division 1 - 16 entries Division 2 - 8 entries

Division 3 - 9 entries

Division 4 - 4 entries

Division 5 - 15 entries

The format of the competition sees each of the 5 divisions holding their own qualifying rounds involving just bowlers from each division bowling on their usual host green to find that division's best bowlers to progress through to the Last 16.

Entrants will be competing for the perpetual trophy donated by Garry Senior and Tony Butterfield. Last year the competition was well supported with 60 entries from the three divisions culminating in Lindley BC bowler, Steve Haigh running out the first-ever winner at Milnsbridge in early-April.

Once again we will be holding Qualifying Round days for each of the five divisions of the League. These will be held on the usual 'home' green for each division.

The Qualifying Rounds (11.30am start time): Division 1 (Milnsbridge): Wednesday 8 February (4 qualifiers go through to the Last 16)

Division 2 (Springwood): Wednesday 8 February (4 qualifiers)

Division 3 (Thorpe Green): Monday 30 January (4 qualifiers)

Division 4 (Lindley Lib): Monday 6 February (2 qualifiers)

Division 5 (Netherton Con): Thursday 9 February (2 qualifiers)

The Closing date for entry is Wednesday 25 January at 3pm. You can use the online form at the foot of this page or paper forms will be available at each League matchday before the closing date. Entrants must have played a minimum of four league matches before the end of the season to qualify for this competition.

The draw for the 5 Qualifying Rounds will be made in the clubhouse at Netherton Con on Thursday 26 January at 1.00pm. Everyone is invited to witness the draws which will be published on the HuddWeb website on Friday 27 January.

The top four bowlers from the Division 1, Division 2 and Division 3 qualifying events will progress through to the next stage along with the top two bowlers from the Division 4 and Division 5 qualifying days. This split is required to get down to 16 bowlers for the later stages of the competition with the expectation that fewer entries will be received from Division 4 and 5 bowlers. All bowlers will play off scratch in the Qualifying Round.

All the qualifiers will progress to the Round of the Last 16 which will be played at Springwood on Wednesday 15 February with the usual 11.30am start time. The Round of the Last 16 becomes a straight knock-out competition and handicaps will be introduced for this stage and going forward. The actual handicaps are still to be agreed but are likely to be +2 for Division 2 bowlers, +3 for Division 3, +4 for Division 4 and +5 for Division 5 bowlers. Division 1 bowlers will always play off Scratch.

The Round of the Last 16 will all be completed in one day with the 8 winners progressing through to Finals Day.

Continuing the intention to rotate the Finals Day to be shared among the host greens the venue this season will be Springwood. Provisionally the date of Finals Day has been set as Sunday 19 February as a Sunday provides some additional parking spaces adjacent to the green.

Last season the qualifying rounds and Finals Day were played at the end of March and beginning of April. The greenkeepers at our host greens have made a strong appeal for this to be changed this year to immediately follow on from the League season. The thinking being that little maintenance work can be undertaken on the greens during February whilst the end of March is a busy time preparing greens for the summer season.

The competition will be staged immediately upon the conclusion of the League seasons on each green. With the Round of the Last 16 and then Finals Day following the following weeks. Taking into account that the last day of the League season varies in each division sees the following schedule of dates and rounds. Please be aware that the dates are very weather dependent with any postponed league matches between now and the date of the qualifying rounds taking precedence over cup matches.

Please check your availability on the dates for each of the 3 rounds of the competition before submitting your entry. The Closing date for entry is Wednesday 25 January at 3pm. Entrants must have played a minimum of four league matches before the end of the season to qualify for this competition.

You can now enter using the form below or by a paper form available on your League matchdays at your usual green. Entry fees of £3 per bowler should be submitted before the date of the qualifying rounds. Payment can be made in cash or by BACS transfer. No cheques please as our bank now levies a 40p per cheque processing charge.

The League's bank details for a BACS transfer are Account Name: Huddersfield Winter League Account No. 64667778

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