Winter League
Review of the Division 3 & 4 fixtures played on 20 November
Last week we reported on the top teams in Divisions 1, 2 and 5 all losing their League matches. This week we can already report on defeats for the top two teams in both Divisions 3 and 4 and maybe more to come later in the week.
An unprecedented series of shock results has thrown the form book out of the window none more so than in Division 3 where the top two both lost unexpectedly this Monday. The leaders, Brockholes 'A' hadn't lost since the opening day of the season but they got a rude awakening when going down 2-6 to Thorpe Green 'B'.
However, aided by Huddersfield Recreation Club's surprise defeat by the same 2-6 scoreline to Dalton means they retain their 7-point lead at the top. Rastrick were able to close the gap on the promotion places after they beat Springwood 'B' 6-2. Completing the shock results was Paddock I&C 'A' 8-0 win over a much-changed Almondbury BC 'A' team by 8-0 and swapping places with their opponents at the foot of the table.
It was a similar story in Division 4 where the top two, Lindley Lib 'B' and Kirkheaton C&BC both lost their matches with the consequences for the Kirkheaton team more severe as they dropped two places to fourth after a 0-8 defeat to Milnsbridge 'B'. The Milnsbridge team have won their last four matches and go second and are now behind Lindley Lib 'B' who hang on to top spot but with a reduced lead of three points.
Marsh Lib missed out on the chance to join the promotion race when beaten by the Huddersfield Recreation Club 'B' team recording their first win of the season although the 6-2 scoreline means they stay bottom but that didn't mute their celebrations. A 4-4 draw between Paddock I&C 'B' and Netherton Con 'B' ensured that the gap between safety and relegation remains at 7-points in Paddock's favour.
In a week when 3 of the 4 results in both of these divisions were totally unexpected, it demonstrates the topsy-turvey nature of Winter League bowling. Many of the teams, especially outside of the top division, use a rotation system to give all their bowlers the opportunity to taste Winter League bowling which leads to very different teams being fielded each week with the inevitable variable outcome. It certainly adds to the drama producing shock results to retain the interest at both ends of the tables and this was certainly ably demonstrated in Divisions 3 and 4 this week.
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