Happy New Year for Milnsbridge B

Winter League

A review of Division 4 fixtures played at Lindley Liberal on Monday 2 January 2023

The first bowling action of 2023 took place at Lindley Liberal on Monday as the Winter League resumed fixtures with a full Division 4 programme.

The sun was shining and I passed an ice-cream van selling its wares on my way to watch the action. I arrived at the club 10 minutes before the start time I was surprised to see that the first set of four singles matches had all already started. They are a keen lot these Division 4 teams or maybe they wanted to get finished and then taste the bacon butties on offer this week.

The sun had brought the bowlers out early along with a 70+ crowd to enjoy the Bank Holiday Monday special. You don't get crowds like this for almost any matches in Huddersfield regardless of the time of year nowadays, it is great to see. Lots of handshakes as bowlers and spectators shared their good wishes for the year ahead. Plenty of good will and the bacon butties as well made for a convivial atmosphere as teams returned to the green after the short Christmas break.

On the green the story was all about the outcome of the 2nd v 3rd confrontation and that went the way of Milnsbridge 'B' who emphasised their dominance over Lowerhouses 'B' by completing a league double over them with a 6-2 win and opened up a 9-point gap between the teams. That coupled with a surprise draw for the leaders, Lindley Lib 'B' saw Milnsbridge go clear at the top. The 4-4 draw for Huddersfield Recreation Club 'A' against the leaders was a big blow for Lindley Lib's title hopes but the gap between the top two now is just one point with four matches still to be played.

Netherton Con 'A' collected a first 8-0 win of the season (including two 21-20 scorelines) over Kirkheaton C&BC to bring them just 5 points behind their opponents in the updated table. More importantly it opened up a 7 point lead over Paddock I&C 'B' who remain in the second relegation place after going down 2-6 to Marsh Lib.