Winter League
Due to today's Division 3 matches being called off at Thorpe Green the dates in this posting are subject to change. Stay tuned for an update on new dates and entry deadlines later today. But for now, I have to go to Lindley Lib where hopefully the full Division 4 fixture programme will go ahead.
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 84 entries for an individual knock-out competition 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.
This Wednesday (25th) 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 (26th) 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.
With only a couple of days to go before the closing date (25 January) we have 84 entries received so far, a magnificent response. Last year there were 60 entries across the 3 divisions. This year, of course, we have 5 divisions and more bowlers so this demonstrates the continuing interest in Winter League bowling.
Entry numbers by division received to date are: Division 1 - 20 entries Division 2 - 14 entries
Division 3 - 10 entries
Division 4 - 16 entries
Division 5 - 24 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 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 30 January (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 25 January 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.
The draw for the 5 Qualifying Rounds will be made in the clubhouse at Netherton Con on Thursday 26 January at 1.00pm. Everyone is invited to witness the draws which will be published on the HuddWeb website on Friday 27 January.
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 the usual 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 23 Jan | Mon 30 Jan | ​ | ​ |
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 25 January 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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