Date changes & 94 entries for Winter Cup

Winter League

Some changes to the running order of rounds in the Winter Cup but first the big news is that we have the magnificent total of 94 entries for the competition so far and still counting.

The postponement of the Division 3 league matches yesterday means that those fixtures have been rearranged for Monday 30 January. That was the original date for the Thorpe Green Qualifying Round so that has also been shuffled back a week to Monday 6 February. That in turn means that the deadline for entries can be, and has been extended to, Wednesday 1 February.

What an absolutely magnificent response from Winter League bowlers to the invitation to enter the Winter Cup individual competition. I defy any other local league to come up with such numbers. From 40 teams we have over 90 entries for an individual knock-out outdoor competition in the middle of winter which is a huge statement about winter bowling when comparable summer leagues will struggle to get half that number when the sun is shining and the temperatures rising.

Wednesday 1 February is the last day that entries will be accepted for the 2023 Winter Cup. The deadline is 3.00pm with the draw for the five qualifying rounds being made at 1.00pm on Thursday 2 February at Netherton Cons. Interested individuals are invited to be present for the holding of the draw in the clubhouse at Netherton Cons at that time.

Entry numbers by division received to date are: Division 1 - 20 entries Division 2 - 17 entries

Division 3 - 13 entries

Division 4 - 19 entries

Division 5 - 25 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 and 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 15 February (4 qualifiers go through to the Last 16)

Division 2 (Springwood): Wednesday 15 February (4 qualifiers)

Division 3 (Thorpe Green): Monday 6 February (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 1 February at 3pm. You can use the online form at the foot of this page or paper forms are 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.

Anyone who has already entered but cannot now play because of the date changes is entitled to a refund of their entry fee as long as they withdraw from the competition before the date of the draw (2 February).

The draw for the 5 Qualifying Rounds will be made in the clubhouse at Netherton Con on Thursday 2 February at 1.00pm. Everyone is invited to witness the draws which will be published on the HuddWeb website on Friday 3 February.

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. 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 12 April with a 1.00pm 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 see each qualifier playing one game 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. The date of Finals Day has been set as Sunday 16 April as a Sunday provides some additional parking spaces adjacent to the green.

The competition will be staged immediately upon the conclusion of the League seasons on each green. 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.

DIVISION	Last day of League Season	Qualifying Round	Last 16	FINALS DAY
1-Milnsbridge	Wed 8 Feb	Wed 15 Feb
2-Springwood	Wed 8 Feb	Wed 15 Feb	Wed 12 April	Sunday 16 April
3-Thorpe Green	Mon 30 Jan	Mon 6 Feb
4-Lindley Lib	Mon 30 Jan	Mon 6 Feb
5-Netherton Con	Thurs 2 Feb	Thurs 9 Feb

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 1 February 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

Sort Code: 40-25-10

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