04 Jul BANISH POST ELECTION BLUES

Most bowlers won’t be suffering from post-election blues and will be glad it’s all over but for those that voted for an unsuccessful party we have the antidote with the Hickson Trophy.

This is an annual team competition named after the original sponsors and hosted in turn by all the Yorkshire regions competing plus our near neighbours Barnsley and Sheffield. This year it’s hosted by Bradford although they’ve had to spread out a little to find clubs with two greens and capable of hosting what has become an annual celebration of veterans bowling.

13 teams are competing this year with the group games being played on Friday 5 July and the final on Friday 12 July. Both the group games and finals day are now run on a round robin basis, initially with 3 groups of 4 teams playing on 5 July and the 2023 winners West Riding having a bye through to the finals on 12 July. The teams consist of 12 over 60 bowlers and ladies are welcomed into teams this year for the first time.

Huddersfield are in Group 1 with Sheffield, Barnsley and Harrogate, playing at Spen Victoria starting at 10 am. The Huddersfield squad is J Bloomer, T Butterfield, A Cooper, R Dickinson, M Gilbert, E Haigh, D Hewitt, P Hopkinson, P Kain, D Pollard, T Poulter, G Senior, R Stopford, A Wike. Team selection will be made by Malcolm Gilbert and Frank Greenwood with support from both home and away team managers.

Halifax are in Group 2 with Bradford, Skipton and Castleford and play at Wibsey Park.

Group 3 play at Heckmondwike Bowling Club and consists of first-time competitors East Coast, Aire & Wharfe, Leeds and Wakefield.

Our association has players from predominantly Huddersfield but Halifax is well represented from the two Elland clubs and Rastrick whilst we also have in our ranks bowlers representing Wakefield and West Riding. Therefore lots of local interest at each of the three venues where there will be at least 48 top bowlers playing 3 matches on the day.

The final will be on 12 July at Cleckheaton Sports. Kick-off is 10 am on both days so if you’d like to see your team progress to the final go and support them tomorrow and banish all thoughts of the election whether you voted for winners or also rans!