Winter League Division-by-Division 2026-27

Winter League

Seven new teams (all listed below) have applied to join the League for the 2026-27 season with three teams dropping out altogether (again listed below) making a net gain of four new teams. Unfortunately with Paddock I&C and Primrose Hill Lib having to withdraw their services as host clubs we are unable to match the number of divisions against the full number of teams. With Lindley Lib and Netherton Con unable to repeat their additional hosting of Division 10 last season, we need hosts for three more days a week throughout the Winter League season.

Two new host clubs have stepped forward and we are delighted to welcome Thorpe Green and Skel Central to the League. Thorpe Green have offered to run two Divisions so matching the shortfall. Unfortunately that currently doesn't cover the four teams earmarked for a new Division 11. We hope that another new host club will step forward before the season begins and that we can also attract four more new teams to form an eight-team Division 11.

Any club interested in learning more about how they can make a minimum of £3,500 for hosting 14-days of Winter League bowling can learn more by getting in contact now. There is plenty of time for all that to happen but for the first time in our history we may be turning teams away; let's hope not. The format and make-up of the League, Division-by-Division, has been decided by the Management Committee and is produced in full below.

A move to freshen the season up for some teams has resulted in some changes to the hosts of four divisions. Divisions 1 and 5 have swapped hosts with Milnsbridge now hosting the Division 5 teams and Lindley Lib taking over the Division 1 responsibilities. Both Divisions will continue to play on Wednesday each week. Two more swaps with Divisions 6 and 7 swapping hosts. Huddersfield RUBC will now serve the Division 6 community and Netherton Con take over the Division 7 teams. Again no change in the day of the week as both venues continue to run matches on a Thursday.

The table below shows the proposed formation of the 10 Divisions in the League for next season, which will be discussed at the League's AGM on Friday 7 August.

DIVISION 1 @ Lindley Lib on Wednesdays A major change for Division 1 teams moving their home green, of the last 5 years, from Milnsbridge to Lindley Lib. Kirkheaton Con A and Golcar Lib are relegated to Division 2 and replaced by Clayton West and New Mill B.

DIVISION 2 @ Cowcliffe Lib on Tuesdays

Milnsbridge A and Lowerhouses B are relegated to Division 3 and replaced by Denby Dale and Slaithwaite. Golcar Lib A and Kirkheton Con A are relegated from Division 1.

DIVISION 3 @ Springwood on Wednesdays

Springwood A and Lindley BC B relegated to Division 4 and replaced by Elland WMC and Primrose Hill Lib. Milnsbridge A and Lowerhouses B drop down from Division 2. Extra promotion for Mirfield Old Bank up from winning the Division 5 title last year.

DIVISION 4 @ Thorpe Green on Mondays New host green to replace Primrose Hill Lib. Thorpe Green C team withdrawn from League and replaced by Rastrick A after winning the Division 10 title last year. Brockholes A relegated to Division 5 and replaced by Mirfield A. Springwood A and Lindley BC B have dropped down from Division 3. DIVISION 5 @ Milnsbridge on Wednesdays

New home green for Division 5 teams. Brockholes A relegated from Division 4 and Cowcliffe B and Brockholes B promoted from Division 6. Outlane B promoted from Division 10 after team being joined by 4 bowlers from last season's Division 3 Thorpe Green C team.

DIVISION 6 @ Huddersfield RUBC on Thursdays Springwood B and Netherton Con B are relegated from Division 6 into Division 7 to be replaced by Huddersfield RUFC and Kirkheaton Con B. Milnsbridge and Dalton were promoted from Division 7.

DIVISION 7 @ Netherton Con on Thursdays Thongsbridge A finished last season 2nd in Division 10 and are rewarded with an extra two divisions leap. Hemplow are promoted into Division 7 from Division 8. Broad Oak A and New Mill C are relegated from Division 7 with Springwood B and Netherton Con B falling out of Division 6.

DIVISION 8 @ Lockwood Con on Tuesdays

Lockwood Con C finished 2nd in Division 8 last season but Declined Promotion as host clubs are allowed to do but they will start the season with a 15-point penalty. Meltham B and Linthwaite Hall B are relegated out of the Division to be replaced by Kirkheaton C&BC C and Greenhead Park.

DIVISION 9 @ Thorpe Green on Fridays

Elland WMC B and Rastrick B are judged to be the pick of the new teams and get a start in Division 9. Brockholes C and Almondbury BC C are relegated from Division 9 to Division 10.

DIVISION 10 @ Skel Central on Mondays Marsh Lib C take up the one final vacant place in the League whilst Brockholes C and Almondbury BC C are relegated down from Division 9. There are 3 Brockholes teams and 2 from Skel Central (renamed from Skel Windmill).

There were 7 new teams applying to join the League and three teams withdrawing (Thorpe Green C, Cowcliffe C and Hudd. Rec. A) providing a net gain of four. Two more teams have expressed an interest in joining the League. Until another new host green steps forward we are unable to offer these four new teams a place in the League at present but remain hopeful that this may change.

We are still accepting new team entries for the 2026-27 season. That comes with a health warning that a place in the League cannot be confirmed until a new host green steps forward to support a new Division 11. Any team wanting to add their name to the waiting list or ask for more details about hosting a new Division 11 for the coming season should get in touch now.

All news about the Winter League and many other other local leagues is published on the www.huddweb.co.uk website with postings every day of the week. You can get notifications of all new postings by emailing us now at huddweb@gmail.com