Hemplow was made for Division 8 teams
Winter League
You know that when you are bowling at Hemplow that there is a fair chance it is going to rain during the Winter months. Horizontal rain being the local brand. Being the last stop before the Pennines, makes that an unforgiving and unwelcome probability. Well it wasn't as bad as that for the first day of the first season at Hemplow for the Division 8 teams but we did get some rain, along with some sunshine, a 5-minute rainbow and wind blowing across the cricket ground. But that didn't put off the Winter League bowlers as they set their stall out for the season.
The same as it had been for Skel Central on Monday this was to be the ultimate test for the second new host green opening their gates to the bowlers this week. The green certainly passed any examination and it looks like the bowlers are going to enjoy the surface provided. Hemplow are also going to enjoy the experience as Club Secretary, Carol Wilby, had a permanent smile on her face as she told me that people she had never met before were coming up to her and giving her money. These being the green fees that each team pays in return for playing on the green along with tokens for each bowler for the free hot drink and biscuits and free raffle tickets into the Bowlers' Raffle. A good range of hot and cold food kept the compliments coming in and it looks like the club and the bowlers deserve each other for this season-long affair.
There was actually some bowling to write about as well with the dark horses of the Greenhead Park team sitting at the top of the table after the first round of matches after their 8-0 win over New Mill C. The Hemplow B team sat this week out as will each team in turn with the only 9-team Division in the League. Chasing the Week-1 leaders is a pack of three teams that all benefitted from 6-2 opening day wins. Mirfield CBC B leading that trio despite their jet-lag after an 18-mile 45-minute journey from home. They have some respite next week with their bye week brought on by having 9 teams in the Division. A 6-2 win over Broad Oak B proving to be a satisfactory first day outcome.
With no 15-point handicap this season the all-ladies team from Golcar C&BC expect to be able to mount more of a promotion challenge and a 6-2 win over the Broad Oak A side set them up for that. Lockwood Con C were the Forecast Game's favourite selection but now, without the comfort of their home green to play on, that may have to alter. A 2-6 defeat to the newly promoted Kirkheaton C&BC gave them a marker for the challenge in front of them if they are going to justify the status accorded to them before the season started.
As always, there are winners and losers but they will all be back next week to try and build on what they came away with on day 1. The Division 8 season is well and truly up and running.
Use the side arrows to scroll through all 26 action photos provided by David Shaw of Hemplow BC
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