Hemplow A go top of Division 8 table

Winter League

Review of the Divisions 8 & 9 results from Tuesday 11 November

Broad Oak B lost their 100% win record and the top position in the Division 8 table when being held to a 4-4 draw by lowly Linthwaite Hall B in Tuesday's fixture programme. That was a real surprise result with the aggregate score of 54-53 determining the outcome which left the Linthwaite Hall team still looking for their first win of the season but in better heart at what seems like a season-chasing moment in their season.

There was also another milestone result as Golcar C&BC moved their points total into a positive number after a 6-2 win over Mirfield B with the expectation being that they will soon start to climb the table and the three teams all on 10 points just above them had better start to watch over their shoulders to gauge this emerging threat.

Hemplow A are the new table-toppers as a 6-2 win over Meltham B saw them claim the lead in what is now seemingly a three-horse race for the two promotion places. Only two points separate the three contenders and they have an 18-point lead over the chasing pack who may be troubled more by the threat of relegation than any aspirations to join the title race. Lockwood Con C are the third team jockeying for honours following an 8-0 whitewash win over Cowcliffe C kept them well in the frame as the pressure mounts between the top three.

Scroll down for the Division 9 results, table and report on Tuesday's fixtures.

Use the side arrows to scroll through all 6 photographs from Lockwood Cons on Tuesday

Greenhead Park win the Division 9 top of the table clash by thrashing their major rivals Kirkheaton Con C by the whitewash 8-0 scoreline. On Remembrance Day the Kirkheaton team had a day to forget and that outcome sees the Greenhead Park team clear at the top with the only unbeaten record in the division. The Kirkheaton team have played 5 fixtures so far all of which ended in an 8-0 scoreline including Tuesday's match which was their second defeat of the season and saw them drop two places to 4th.

In contrast it was a good day for Kirkheaton C&BC with both their Division 9 teams recording 8-0 wins which pushed their C team into second place only two points behind the leaders. The Kirkheaton C&BC teams were playing the bottom two teams in the division and that is where they are staying for the immediate future, at least, after this showing. The Kirkheaton C&BC C team beat Brockholes C which means they stop at the foot of the table. That along with Almondbury BC C who remain in the second relegation place after defeat to the Kirkheaton C&BC B side. With a full blown Division 10 probable next season, it is likely that the bottom two teams in this division will be relegated. That means, on current form, that Almondbury BC C will be joining the Brockholes team by both marking their first year in the League by being relegated.

The only match in this division not featuring a Kirkheaton team this week saw Marsh Lib B beating Mirfield C 6-2 which was enough to launch the Marsh Lib team into third place. The Paddock venue is becoming a must-visit site on Tuesdays as an increasingly high number of bowlers and fans gather to enjoy the unique green and tasty menu on offer. I counted 65 people on the green and surrounding it this week, which cannot be down to just the curiosity associated with a new host club but the hospitality and special feel there is about Winter bowling in general. Long may it continue.

Use the side arrows to see all 11 photographs from Paddock I&C on Tuesday