Huddersfield top Inter-District table

Veterans League

Huddersfield go top of the Inter-District table after a 44-12 victory over Castleford on Friday which helped them to a nine-point lead after the first two matches. Surprisingly the team nearest to them is the Leeds side which is appearing for the first time since prior to Covid. Even at that time they were not serious contenders for honours at this level but that appears to have all changed as they are emerging as a real threat to the established pecking order.

THE HUDDERSFIELD AWAY SQUAD v CASTLEFORD 19 MAY 2023

I was at the away team's match at Savile Park where I witnessed a great display of bowling from Golcar Lib stalwart Peter Hopkinson who clocked up an impressive 21-3 win to deservedly win the sweep money and set his team up for a decisive 19-9 away win. Finding a round mark to the side of the crown Peter found the pace of the green immediately and milked it for all it was worth. Pushy one way and fast the other was quickly mastered by Peter and there was no respite for his opponent.

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The Huddersfield home team won 7 of the 8 games and three of those to single figures which all contributed to a 25-3 points team win. I must mention John Bloomer who has now played five games for the Huddersfield team. Three last season and two this year and has won them all. John plays in Division 3 for Almondbury Lib which, I say respectively, is not usually a breeding ground for top Inter-District bowlers. Not sure who put John forward for Inter-District status but obviously someone saw something in him and that selection has been fully justified.

So anyone who says that the Inter-District teams are a closed shop for Division 1 bowlers needs to think again because that is blatantly not the case. In addition, Stephen Haigh from Division 2 side Lindley BC was playing his second game for the home team on Friday and clocked up his first win with a sweep-sharing performance and 21-8 scoreline to play a full part in the big home win. Stephen is joined in the home team by Andrew Wike who plays for the Huddersfield Recreation Club in Division 3 of the 10-Man League so emphasising the point that if you are good enough your chance will come.

Results for Friday 19 May

Wakefield 23 (270-297) 33 West Riding Bradford 23 (269-295) 33 Halifax Castleford 12 (221-310) 44 Huddersfield Leeds 46 (315-216) 10 Skipton

Huddersfield remaining fixtures

9 June v West Riding

23 June v Wakefield

28 July v Leeds

11 August v Bradford

1 Sept v Halifax