Business as usual for Thorpe Green

Winter League

Thorpe Green A started off the 2025-26 Division 1 season exactly as they finished the previous season, top of the table. An 8-0 whitewash opener against the newly promoted Golcar Lib team was not the welcome the Golcar side wanted on their return to the top division. After being relegated from Division 1 at the end of the 2023-24 season after a single term they were looking to establish themselves at the top table. They are going to have to dig deep to get back on track but an opening match against the reigning Champions is likely to be as difficult as things are going to be,

Hanging Heaton A were the other promoted team and they faired much better picking up a 6-2 win over Lower Hopton to make a bright entry to the top division. They look like being a tasty addition to the League and bigger tests will await them in the coming weeks no doubt.

There was a second 8-0 scoreline on the opening day as the teams that finished 2nd and 3rd last season, Cowcliffe A beat New Mill A with the whitewash scoreline a little unfair on New Mill. An opening pairs marathon of over 90 minutes was protracted by the Cowcliffe side coming from being 12-17 down to run out victors and the two singles games could have gone either way. The record books will show a 0-8 result and a great start for the Cowcliffe team only playing their second season in the top division.

Lindley BC A completed the opening day programme with a straight-forward 6-2 win over Kirkheaton Con A. The two teams finished last season in 5th and 6th places and the Lindley club maintained their superiority over the Kirkheaton side.

The green at Milnsbridge is definitely worth a mention. Starting its 6th consecutive season of winter bowling the green looks and plays as well as it ever has in the eyes of many. The die-hards who still believe that bowling on a green during the winter months damages the summer season green really should visit Milnsbridge any time now. It hasn't had a rest for over 6 years but here is the evidence that winter greens, properly looked after, can produce a surface conducive to good bowling all the year round.

It is not just Milnsbridge that enjoys a good reputation amongst our bowlers but a visit to Lindley Lib or Netherton Con, especially, but our other greens as well, all support the case that winter bowling has to be part of the future. Bowlers are now demanding it and like most businesses, those that ignore their customers will suffer in the long term. Just take a look at the photographs taken at Milnsbridge yesterday to get an idea of how well the green is looking and playing.

14 Action photos from the Division 1 matches played at Milnsbridge BC