13 May Knock-out Round-up

The season may still be in its early stages, but both of the Huddersfield Veterans Bowling League knockout competitions are already beginning to take shape — and next week promises to tell us plenty more about who the genuine contenders are.

The Julie Fuller 6-Man Knockout has now completed two rounds, leaving just sixteen teams standing ahead of Monday 18th May’s last-16 ties. With half of the Division One sides already eliminated, along with current holders Broad Oak, the competition feels unusually open this year.

There are still some big names left in the hat, of course. Clayton West ‘A’ and Marsh Utd ‘A’ both remain in contention and both have the experience to go deep into the tournament. But the Julie Fuller has always had a habit of producing surprises.

That’s largely down to the format. With only three pairs games in each match, there’s very little room for recovery if one pairing suffers a heavy defeat. Add in the handicaps and suddenly every side believes it has a genuine chance. It’s one of the reasons this competition is always so difficult to predict.

The 10-Man Team Knockout has also reached the business end after two completed rounds, with the quarter-finals taking place on Friday 22nd May.

Holders Longwood are still firmly in the mix as they chase a third successive title. Once again they’ve ended Lowerhouses’ hopes early, knocking them out in the first round for the second year running. They’ll not have it easy though, with a tie against Lindley Lib ‘A’ who carry a useful +9 handicap advantage and sit only one place behind them in Division One.

Golcar’s teams have also made a strong impression so far. Between them they’ve already eliminated three Division One sides and, whisper it quietly, there’s a realistic possibility of the teams facing each other in the final.

That said, neither quarter-final tie will be straightforward. Golcar ‘A’ face a dangerous Springwood side with a sizeable +27 handicap advantage, while Golcar ‘B’ take on Brockholes ‘A’, who have also been in impressive form in the competition so far.

There’s still a long way to go, but next week’s matches should give us all a much clearer picture of who we may fancy to be lifting silverware later in the season.

Good luck to all teams involved.