Winter League
Preview of the Division 1 & 2 fixtures scheduled for Wednesday 25 October
The Division 1 and Division 2 fixture programmes start this Wednesday and include two new teams to Winter League bowling.
2022-23 FINAL LEAGUE TABLES
In Division 1 the League is boosted by the introduction of a Golcar Lib side that has won the Veterans League Division 1 title for the last two seasons so will make a welcome addition to the strength of the competition. They open their season by taking on Clayton West who are appearing in the top division for a third consecutive season.
Last year's 1 and 2 were separated by a single point as Lower Hopton hung on to their title by the narrowest of margins over Thorpe Green A. That one-point difference making all the difference as if the teams had drawn on points totals then Thorpe Green would have taken the title as their Aggregate For total was far superior to that of Lower Hopton. Thorpe Green will be looking to go one better than last season and will want a strong start when meeting Kirkheaton Con A on Wednesday.
Lower Hopton will be looking for a hat-trick of titles and will expect to be quick out of the blocks when playing promoted Lindley BC A this week. New Mill A (previously the New Millers) open their season by playing Meltham who settled quickly at this level after promotion the previous year up from Division 2. Lowerhouses were promoted as Division 1 Champions but will have to wait for their return to the top level as they have a bye this week.
The new boys in Division 2 are Cowcliffe A with the bowlers registered with them are regular members of the Cowcliffe Veterans League Division 1 side and are expected to be a force to be reckoned with at this level. They open their campaign against the Lindley BC B side that was relegated from Division 1 at the end of last season.
Lindley Lib A were also relegated at the end of last season and begin their attempt to make a quick return to the top level and will have to beat Lockwood Con A if such aspirations are to be taken seriously. Brockholes A come up a level after winning the Division 3 title last season and will have a clearer picture of their chances after meeting Springwood A who finished mid-table last year.
The other promoted side is Huddersfield Recreation Club A and they will have to wait and watch for a week as they have their bye round this Wednesday. The teams that finished last season in 3rd and 4th position meet up on day one of the new season as Milnsbridge A play against Denby Dale.
The start of a new season is always full of hope and trepidation in unequal measures but the main thing is that we are bowling every week from now until mid-February. That is regardless of what the weather may throw at us we are here to enjoy the competition and social aspects of being outside with a purpose for the next 4 months. Bring it on!
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