Veterans League
The climax of this year's Lower Divisions Trophy will be played out at Outlane on Friday this week when the final 8 bowlers will contest the Quarter-Finals. From those eight the eventual 2022 Champion will emerge as the Semi-Finals and Final will all be completed on the same day.
Due to the Covid interference, this competition hasn't been played since 2019 and only one of this year's 8 quarter-finalists, John Pix, played in the competition then. So almost a completely new line-up. Almondbury Lib is the only club with more than one representative at this stage and new Inter-District player, John Bloomer, is one of those.
John became an Inter-District bowler for the first time this season and it is quite unusual to find a Division 3 bowler playing at that level but he has thrived on the challenge winning all his three matches this season. That status means that John will start off scratch and he will be pushed all the way by Marsh Lib bowler, Craig Longbottom, who is unbeaten in his 12 league matches this season and has a 7-point handicap start. The fact that an Inter-District bowler is involved shows that the standard has increased over time in this competition and John will inevitably start as one of the favourites.
In the other half of the draw, Andrew Wike of the Huddersfield Recreation Club stands out with the strongest 2022 playing record as he sits on top of the Division 3 Averages having won 15 of his 16 matches this season. Ironically that single defeat came against Almondbury Lib bowler, Andy Broughton, who could end up as his semi-final opponent.
This competition is only open to bowlers who have not played a single game in either of the top two divisions of the 10-Man League this season. It all starts at 1.30pm on Friday at Outlane BC which always provides a good backdrop to a fine competition. Time to remind all the quarter-finalists that they need to adhere to the dress code for Finals Day which means black trousers and collared shirts must be worn. Failure to comply will see the bowler eliminated before stepping on the green.
It is always a good day with many of the bowlers being involved in this stage of a major competition for the first time and determined to enjoy the experience. The weather forecast is good and Outlane are proven fine hosts so what is there not to enjoy about the day?
QUARTER-FINALS
The 2019 Final of the Lower Divisions Trophy was a Sykes Final played between Chris Sykes and Geoff Sykes at Outlane BC with Chris coming out the victor. The photo below was taken at that Final with Geoff on the left and Chris leading with the jack.
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