As always, the HSMBA Winter League brought a season of incredibly competitive bowling across each division.
Huge congratulations go to the Gorsley Chapel Oaks who become only the fourth club to lift the Division One title and the first since Fownhope in 2003/2004 to have not been called Ross or Woolhope! Last year’s Champions Woolhope Wanderers finished second on 94.5 points, 10 points behind Gorsley and 11.5 clear of Ross in third. At the other end of the table, Llangarron and Tarrington finished in the relegation places on 38 and 36 points respectively.
The race for the Division 2 title went down to the wire as St Martin’s Hawks secured a return to the top flight for the first time in two years on 74 points. Gorsley Chapel Cedars finished 4 points behind and will hope that it is enough to secure their second promotion in as many years. Ross Badgers and Golden Valley finished 2 and 4 points behind respectively in what was a very close fight in the second division. For Fownhope, a second successive relegation will see them playing Division 3 bowls next year whilst Ross Hedgehogs saw a strong start to the season fade away to finish in the second relegation place.
In Division 3, Ross Alligators secured an immediate return to Division 2 as they finished top on 86.5 points. The Alligators were joined in the promotion places by Dewchurch Warriors who finished 4 points above Ledbury in third. A big well done to HSMBA’s newest team, St Weonards, who- despite finishing bottom of Division 3- scored points in all but two of their games. Nearly every club that joins the association finds the learning curve of their first season in competitive bowls a challenge, but there is no doubt St Weonards will be back, looking to build on their first season as part of the Association.
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 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.
New Division 1 Champions: Gorsley Chapel Oaks