Veterans League
Suddenly the Bistro KO has become very predictable (boring) with only one surprise result in Round 1 of matches played on Thursday. The unique 5-Pairs format coupled with a handicap system has regularly produced surprise results with lower league teams enjoying dismissing Division 1 teams from the competition on a regular basis. However the competition also has a history of being won by Division 1 teams albeit with regular Final involvement of Division 2 and 3 teams.
The Preliminary Round matches produced a set of predictable results when played last month and we had more of the same in Round 1 played this week. Only one surprise result and that came with Division 1 team Marsh United 'A' going down 89-101 to Division 2 side Thongsbridge 'A'. Division 5 leaders also had a good win over a team a division higher than them when Springwood of Division 4 was the victim of a good win for the the under-dogs by 128-109, otherwise it was a procession of expected outcomes and not fitting at all with the history of this competition. The only thing that has changed this season is the handicap system but these changes should have favoured the lower league teams but that has not been realised in reality.
Unfortunately Bradley & Colne struggled once again to field a full team with only six bowlers available to them and the eventual outcome of a 44-115 defeat to Almondbury BC 'A'. That was the same opposition as their Division 2 encounter of the previous Tuesday when they could only field 5 bowlers and went down 0-9. Things are looking pretty dire for the Division 2 bottom team as they have now failed to field a full team in 7 of their 12 league and cup matches.
One comment received earlier in the week when the player shortfall for their League match was reported said that the match should never have been played as the inevitable defeat was not fair on other teams in that division. But what choice do Bradley & Colne have? They are not allowed to cancel and rearrange the fixture under the League rules and non-fulfillment of the fixture would endanger the continuing involvement of that team in the League. The League rules state:
It is not an acceptable reason that any players holidays intervene or that certain players are not available, i.e. reserves must be played. In the case of less than ten men playing, 21 points shall be forfeited for each game. Matches can only be re-arranged if the green is unplayable or bad weather prevails or clashing with senior matches or the funeral of a Club member and with the agreement of both captains as aforementioned or with the prior agreement of the League Secretary.
The League cannot continue to ignore this dire situation which Bradley & Colne find themselves in but they are limited to what they can do. Punishment for failing to field full teams is not going to ease the root problem of insufficient bowlers for the club to turn out a full team every week. The club indicate that the shortage has been caused by a combination of holidays and illness but it is unclear if they situation is likely to remedy itself in the short term or if this is a long-term problem.
The full set of Round 1 results from the Bistro are below along with the Round 2 draw with neutral greens still to be allocated.
BISTRO KO ROUND 1 8 June 2023

BISTRO KO ROUND 2 6 July 2023

No one gets any satisfaction getting points because the opponents don’t have a full team. We turn up each week for a game of competitive bowls. I very much hope that Bradley and Colne have a full team against my club, Lindley b.c. , next Tuesday.
If the League gets too involved then perhaps Bradley may feel they have to resign. None of us wants that.
So, is there a way forward eg, there is a surprising number of bowlers registered with clubs who have yet to play a game. Could some of these be encouraged to sign for Bradley? I haven’t checked the rules to see if this is possible.
Perhaps I’m jumping the gun and Bradley will get…