That's Division 5 bowling for you!

Winter League

DIVISION 5 FINAL LEAGUE TABLE

This takes some explaining. Last week Mirfield A beat their only threat to the Division 5 title to take over at the top from Mirfield Old Bank and create a two-point lead with one match left to play. That seemed to have paved the way to the title for the Mirfield A side. Unbeaten all season having won 10 and drawn 3 of their fixtures with a last match coming up against a Thorpe Green B team who are in danger of being relegated as they are third from bottom just 2 points above the drop zone. Mirfield A having beaten the Thorpe Green team 6-2 earlier in the season. The scene is set for Mirfield A to stay top and take the title by matching the Old Bank team's final result against third in the table Jackson Bridge.

Mirfield Old Bank duly did beat Jackson Bridge 6-2 and inexplicably Mirfield A lose for the first time all season going down 2-6 to Thorpe Green B who move up a place and avoid relegation. Mirfield Old Bank are the Division 5 Champions in their first season in the League so congratulations to them but I think it may take some time for the Mirfield A team to come to terms with what has happened. All credit to the Thorpe Green team but they must have been punching above their weight to achieve that result. That's bowling for you!

At the opposite end of the table Thorpe Green's surprise resurrection kept them out of harm's way and in fact lifted them up one place to avoid any chance of being relegated. That did set up a final day escape from the bottom two slots for Kirkheaton C&BC A who beat already relegated Dalton 6-2. That was enough to bring them level on points with Milnsbridge C who completed a run of four defeats in their last four fixtures when going down 2-6 to Paddock I&C. It took a better 'Aggregate Difference' total of -76 to -90 to retain their Division 5 status for another season. Milnsbridge hadn't been in the relegation places all season except on the only occasion that it matters - the last day of the season. That's bowling for you!

There was a consolation for the Mirfield A team as they had four of their bowlers in the Division 5 top six and they took the Top Bowler trophy as Michael Wood took the Division 5 award with a greater Aggregate Difference total of 99-41 over Phil Goodge of relegated Dalton. Both bowlers being on the 10 wins mark. Phil had won his first ten fixtures but then went off the rails in comparison when losing his last three matches . That's bowling for you!

DIVISION 5 TOP BOWLER