The HSMBA Winter League Division One Winners Shield will feature a name other than Woolhope for the first time since Fownhope’s win in the 2003/04 season as Ross won their first title since the turn of the Millennium following a nail biting 8-2 victory over Llangarron in their final game of the season.
After a hectic season the battles at the top and bottom of the Division 1 table came down to one game between Ross Wolves and Llangarron. Ross entered the match knowing they needed a minimum of 7 points to draw level with Weston Wizards and win the league due to their superior shots difference. Meanwhile, Llangarron trailed Tarrington by two points at the foot of the table, also holding a superior shots difference over their competitors. Ultimately the result proved to be ideal for both teams as following two losses in the first half, Llangarron were able to take two points to secure safety in Division One, consigning Tarrington to the relegation places alongside St Martin’s Hawks whilst Ross ended Woolhope’s 18-year Division One title streak to take the crown for the first time since the 2000/01 season.
Division Two promised to be an extremely competitive league and that it proved to be as a resurgent Fownhope pushed clear of the pack in the second half of the season to take the title. The fight for the second promotion place was open right until the end as both Ross Badgers and Alligators, who sat in fifth and sixth place respectively at the halfway stage, fought their way up the table to put themselves in contention. In a scrap which went to the wire, the Badgers held onto the runners-up spot and secured the second promotion place by 2 points from the Alligators, who failed to take the points needed from their final match to overhaul their club-mates. At the bottom of the table, a late season surge from Golden Valley saw them lift themselves away from the relegation places, leaving St Martins Falcons and Ross Hedgehogs in the two relegation spots.
The first team to put their name on the new HSMBA Division Three Winners Shield is Woolhope Wasps as they stormed to the title with two games left to play. Taking the runners up and second promotion spot was Gorsley Chapel Cedars, meaning that both of the newly formed teams in the Division gain instant promotion to Division Two in what will no doubt be a competitive league once again next season.
To view the tables in full please follow the below links:
The HSMBA sends its congratulations to all league winners as well as its thanks to League Secretary Ian Roe and all of the 175+ players who represented their clubs this season. The association now looks forward to the Summer League which kicks off in May.
*Please note that promotion and relegation places are dependant on entries to next year’s Winter League. Until this is known, it is assumed that the top and bottom two places in each division will be subject to promotion and relegation respectively. If you have any questions please contact Ian Roe via hsmbaleaguesec@gmail.com.