Winter League
Review of the results from Divisions 1 and 2 matches played on Wednesday 25 October
The new season has started with a bang and a couple of surprise results in the top division. Division 1 Champions for the past two years are Lower Hopton and they started the defence of their latest title with a match against last year's Division 2 promotion winners Lindley BC A who went on to record a big 6-2 win. That result was matched by Clayton West who saw off the much-fancied new team from Golcar Lib playing in the League for the first time. An 8-0 win for Clayton West was a real indicator to the level of bowling now operating at the top level in our League and puts them level at the top of the first table of the season.
Thorpe Green A only missed out by one point on deposing Lower Hopton of the title last season and they started this season with a strong 6-2 win over Kirkheaton Con A.
Last years 3rd placed team was Meltham and they also had a setback to their hopes of even better times after going down 0-8 to New Mill A who lead the first table of the season courtesy of a better Aggregate Difference. An 8-0 scoreline doesn't do justice to New Mill's performance as none of the Meltham bowlers reached double figures and a total of 19 points from three games is the 2nd lowest total by any team in any division so far this season.
So three surprise results in Division 1 based on last season's positions with the only result going the way that history could indicate was Thorpe Green's success. With Lowerhouses still to start their fixtures after an immediate return to the top flight it promises to be as competitive as ever this season.
In Division 2 there were three 8-0 scorelines with Cowcliffe A, Lindley Lib A and Milnsbridge A only separated in the table by the Aggregate Difference after all clocked up the maximum 63 Aggregate For points. The Cowcliffe team are new to the Winter League so have made the ideal start to their campaign and can expect the pressure from Lindley Lib A to rank up as the season progresses as their track record over the 3 years they have been in the League sees that each season they alternate between the top two divisions.
Milnsbridge A finished last season in 3rd place in Division 2 and look intent on launching another promotion crusade if the early result is any indication of their determination to push themselves back into the top division. The only Division 2 match without an 8-0 scorline saw newly promoted Brockholes A go down to the host club's (Springwood) A team 2-6 to announce the return of winter bowling to the gathering of 55+ bowlers and spectators that brings the unique atmosphere that the League generates at all its venues.