Winter League
A big 8-0 win for Thorpe Green over Lowerhouses 'B' enabled them to open up a 10-point lead over Lindley BC 'B' at the top of Division 3 who went down 2-6 against Brockholes. With over 60 people present to witness another good day's bowling, despite the intermittant rain showers, and another good social day out for many.
Thorpe Green don't consider themselves as potential Division 3 Champions and they don't even think they will get promoted but the facts point to a different conclusion. Currently 10-points ahead of second-placed Lindley BC 'B' who have a game in hand and 14-points ahead of 3rd placed Brockholes which would make them favourites to at least get promotion with 5 matches still to be played.
That whitewash win over Lowerhouses 'B' this week further enhanced their chances and with four bowlers in the top 10 of the combined averages, points towards a sturdy team with strength in depth and a formidable opponent for anyone at this level.
The reason they hesitate to look for honours is their player rotation system is stringently enforced and this would normally reduce any serious bid for honours. This team also carries the bulk of the catering and administration functions as hosts to all the Division 3 teams and this means that bowling only takes second place to other duties on matchday. Regardless of all that they do they keep winning and are on a run of 10 unbeaten matches with the opening day of the season being the last time they tasted defeat.
Lindley BC 'B' going down to Brockholes this week was a blow to their Championship challenge although they remain well-positioned to mount another bid for the top spot and their game in hand is some insurance against any further setbacks. Brockholes remain as the biggest threat to their hopes of promotion but in a division where almost anyone can beat anyone else I am sure that a few pages are still to be turned before the plot becomes clearer and the top two emerge.
Springwood 'B' had a good start to the new year gaining their first drawn match of the season when holding Milnsbridge 'B' 4-4 with the aggregate advantage enabling Springwood to pick up some valuable points. That was also the first drawn encounter for the Milnsbridge team as well and they seem destined to finish mid-table which is a step up from last season.
Rastrick appear to be in free-fall at present. After winning their opening three fixtures they have only won once in the 8 matches since then including an 0-8 reversal this week when Huddersfield Recreation Club collected their first white-wash win of the campaign and just revenge for a 0-8 defeat against Rastrick earlier in the season. Despite that the Recreation Club remain 2nd from the bottom although still 8-points in front of Springwood 'B' and 8-points behind Lowerhouses 'B' who sit one place above them.
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