7 New teams join Winter League

Winter League

The deadline for new team applications to join the Winter League has passed with a total of 7 new teams stepping forward to join the success story that the League has become. Those seven teams are Thongsbridge D, New Mill D, Lindley Lib D, Marsh Lib C, Lowerhouses C, Rastrick B and Elland WMC B. It is noticeable that these seven teams all come from clubs that have had plenty of exposure to the format of the League and many of the bowlers will have already experienced the buzz there is from playing during the Winter months.

The seven new teams have to be measured up against the fact that we have also lost three teams who have withdrawn from the League. They being Thorpe Green C from Division 3, Huddersfield Recreation Club (Division 4) and Cowcliffe C (Division 8). That leaves us with a net balance of 4 additional teams taking the total up to 84 teams.

The bad news is that doesn't leave us with a nice round model of 8 teams in each division. The good news is that we still have places for four more new teams to take the total up to 88 teams and 11 divisions of 8 teams in each. We have sufficient host greens to serve that model and so once again we open the doors to apply to join the League with the first four teams to step forward guaranteed a place in the League structure for the 2026-27 season which starts in October.

This situation isn't new to the League; as recently as last season we accepted 8 new teams after the original deadline date and those 8 teams formed a new Division 10 that played right through the Winter months. The nearer we get to the October start date the more interest in joining the League is aroused. Don't miss out again this year, get your act together and get that application in before all those four places are taken.

Any team wanting to join the League or requiring any further information about what is involved should contact Jeff Jacklin, the League Secretary as soon as possible before the 4 vacancies are all taken. First come, first served.