Almost there for Division One season

Winter League

It is the final day of the Division 1 season this Wednesday, the 18th week of bowling that started at the beginning of October with great uncertainty whether we would be allowed to complete a full season at the second attempt.

The 2020-21 season had been abandoned after Christmas due to Lockdown 3 being enforced on everyone and doubts about this season have never been far from the surface. However we are almost there now with Lower Hopton already guaranteed the title of the first-ever winners of the Winter League top division. It is intended to present the Founders' Cup to the triumphant team prior to the start of matches this Wednesday at Milnsbridge.

We are almost there now and just a couple of matters still to be resolved as teams line up for the final round of fixtures. The closest one of those being which team will accompany Rastrick 'A' through the relegation trapdoor? There are two contenders with either Milnsbridge 'A' or Lowerhouses 'A' destined to drop a level next season. Milnsbridge have a two-point advantage at present but have the unenviable task of facing Champions Lower Hopton in their final match. Lowerhouses certainly wont be expecting to cruise past Lindley BC 'A' and on to safety either so still everything to play for.

The race to the runners-up spot was expected to go to the ultimate round of matches and indeed it has but is not as close as was expected. Kirkheaton Con's 6-2 victory over Lower Hopton last week coupled with New Millers losing to Milnsbridge 'A' means that the Cons only have to avoid defeat in their match against bottom team Rastrick 'A' this week to secure second place in the table. Meanwhile New Millers and Thorpe Green 'A' will complete their seasons in opposition against each other.