Winter Cup Finals Day in detail

Winter League

It is Finals Day this Sunday for the Winter League's Winter Cup competition with the eight quarter-finalists bidding to become the new name on the trophy. None of the previous winners have reached this stage this year.

There is just one bowler from the top four divisions left in the competition and that is Division 1 Lower Hopton bowler, Graham Hirst, who will be the favourite to add his name to the trophy. With no representatives from teams in Divisions 2,3, or 4 and a handicapping system in place, it is a great opportunity for a lower division bowler to make a name for themselves.

Two teams have two bowlers in the last eight. Joanna Birch and Nigel Roebuck are from the same Huddersfield RUFC team and the host green club and have been drawn against each other in the opening round meaning that the team is guaranteed to have a representative in the Semi-Finals. Division 10 team Skel Windmill A also have two bowlers involved in the quarter-finals, Jamal Kelly and Sam Seargeant, are both in the bottom half of the draw and could meet in the Semi-Finals.

Previous winners of the Winter Cup 2022 Stephen Haigh (Lindley BC A) 2023 Ian Briggs (Thorpe Green A) 2024 Julie Mallinson (Marsh United)

2025 Stuart Greaves (New Mill B)

We will be holding a minute's silence before the start of play in memory of Tony 'Butts' Butterfield who was a big supporter of the Winter League and was a joint sponsor of the actual trophy of the Winter Cup. Tony passed away last weekend and you can read a tribute to Tony here

The competition has become known as the 'Armband Final' as we ask the Finals Day bowlers to wear coloured armbands to make it easier for spectators to identify each game on the green. For the same reason scoreboards will relay the up to date state of each game to the gathering. In addition Bowlsnet LIVE will be in operation so updated scores will appear appear on the League's Bowlsnet pages throughout the afternoon.

So bring your mobile phone to take advantage of this digital benefit. It also means that if you are unable to attend on Finals Day you can still follow all the match scores as they happen by going to the Winter League's Bowlsnet pages. From there click on COMP and then Winter Cup to follow all the match scores progress throughout the afternoon. Full details about this and more can be found in the matchday programme with a copy of that below for your information.

Just a reminder to the eight quarter-finalists that they are expected at Huddersfield RUFC on Sunday 12 April by 12.45pm ready for a prompt 1.00pm start. Also a reminder that the BCGBA dress code will apply to all bowlers. This means that Black trousers or Black-tailored shorts along with Collared shirts are mandatory. Club polo shirts are always welcome.

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