The first 64 entries for the Winter Cup

Winter Cup

The end of the League season signals the start of the League's individual competition for the Winter Cup. Each division hosts the qualifying round for their bowlers and this is usually scheduled for the same day of the week seven days after the last round of League fixtures. All the dates are listed below along with a list of all the entries to date.

The grand total currently stands at 64 entries with plenty of time for lots more to settle for another day of winter bowling. We expect to have over 100 entries as is the norm and the prestige of winning a competition with that number of entries, or even reaching finals day, is enormous. We are as ever grateful to Garry Senior and Tony Butterfield for sponsoring the trophy and the idea and format in the first place. This year, entrants only have to have played one League match to qualify for entry. Handicaps come into play from the Round of the Last 20 onwards. Home bowler 3-2-1 handicaps apply in all rounds.

The format has remained unchanged since its formation and will be run in the same manner again this year. Each of the ten divisions will hold their own qualifying competition on their usual host green. There they will bowl down to two qualifiers who will progress through to the Round of the Last 20 and then the Round of the Last 16 which will be played on Sunday 29 March.

The last eight bowlers will then go on to Finals Day to be held on Sunday 12 April. The matches on 29 March and 12 April will all be played at Huddersfield RUFC with an 11.00am start time as we continue to rotate the final stages of this competition amongst the host clubs.

The current Qualifying Round dates are listed below. You need to be aware that these are subject to change if any League matches are postponed, they may be rearranged for these dates, pushing the Winter Cup matches back a further week. The original dates for the Divisions 1 and 4 qualifying rounds have both been put back a week due to postponed league fixtures taking priority and the new dates are in the table below.

Don't forget to factor into your thinking the two following dates before confirming your entry into the 2026 competition. Round of the Last 20 & Round of the Last 16 on Sunday 29 March at Huddersfield RUFC. Finals Day on Sunday 12 April at Huddersfield RUFC. All matches have an 11.00am start time.

ONLINE ENTRY FORM

You can complete your entry by submitting your entry fees by BACS payment.

The entry fee is £3 per bowler.

The Winter League's HSBC bank details are:

Account Name: The Huddersfield Winter League

Account Number: 64667778

Account Sort Code: 40-25-10