Winter League
A review of Division 1 results from matches played on 9 February
Milnsbridge 'A' and Lowerhouses 'A' have been alternating possession of the second relegation place in Division 1 almost all season but when the music finally stopped it was Lowerhouses that were caught in the headlights and they slip through the relegation trapdoor for the start of the 2022-23 season.
It was a highly unlikely outcome as Milnsbridge's final four fixtures were against the three teams about to fill the top three positions in the League. The fourth match was against their major rival Lowerhouses which they lost 2-6 to seemingly set up a way out of danger for Lowerhouses. then going down 2-6 to Kirkheaton Cons just seemed to be preparing the demise of Milnsbridge's hopes with matches to come against the rampant form team of 2022, the New Millers, and Champions Lower Hopton on the final day.
A surprise but well deserved 6-2 win over the New Millers set up a final day with both teams in action and Milnsbridge holding a 2-point lead over Lowerhouses but facing a Lower Hopton side that had thrashed them 8-0 earlier in the season. The Milnsbridge pair of Kevin Brown and Peter Clay had an outstanding 21-15 win over their Lower Hopton counterparts before Graham Hirst addressed the balance for the Champions with a 21-5 win to make the games 1-1 but Lower Hopton with a big 10-point aggregate lead.
Captain Jim Baxter eased through a final singles 21-13 win to take the team's total to four points which was four more than Lowerhouses and on to safety. Lowerhouses going down 2-6 to Lindley BC 'A' in a dramatic final day of bowling. Jim took time out from celebrating with his team to praise Lowerhouses reaction to the outcome when saying ...
All matches today and all season have been played in the right spirit and the atmosphere around the green has been great. I would like to draw attention to the good sportsmanship of all the Lowerhouses A team who all congratulated me and the Milnsbridge team on our result today. They were understandably disappointed but were a credit to how crown green bowling should be played.
Elsewhere Thorpe Green 'A' shared the aggregate points 49-49 with New Millers to claim a 5-3 win and Kirkheaton Con 'A' got the points they needed to secure the runners-up spot with a 6-2 win over Rastrick 'A'.
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