The NIPGL Midweek 1 team finished the Division 1 season in 11th place with a point at home to Cliftonville.

Scoreboard

NIPGL Midweek D1 31st August Ulster Transport M1 v Cliftonville

The Final NIPGL Midweek Division 1 Table

An 11th place finish in a very tough Midweek Division is a reflection of the unique circumstances at the start of the 2023 season and the attempt to get the best outcome for the new players without allowing the team to fall into Division 2.

The club had 30 - 40 new players with little or no experience of outdoor bowls and they were split into two groups with one group allocated to the Midweek 1 team and the other to the Midweek 2 team.

The same split was applied to the remaining, more experienced players and the Midweek 1 team each week had an almost equal number of new and experienced players.

If there was any danger of relegation (as happened towards the end of the season), the strongest players would be used until the team was back to a mid-table position.

NIPGL Midweek D1 Table 31st August 2023 750px

Result Card

Colin Devlin's rink pulled the team over the victory line in the final game of the season for a very welcome four points to secure 11th place and a mid-table finish.

NIPGL Midweek Division 1 Ulster Transport M1 v Cliftonville 31st August 2023

Player Team Statistics

A total of 35 players were used this season with only 8 playing 10 or more of the 14 games and 20 playing between 3 and 9 games, a reflection of the policy to give as many new bowlers as possible good, solid, competitive experience.

Hugh Hawthorne finished with the highest rink points, 7 out of 9 games played (86%).

UTBC Midweek 1 Team Stats at 31st August 2023

Season Summary

The NIPGL Midweek Division 1 is a very strong league with almost all clubs using their Saturday A team players to compete for the title.

Although the Ulster Transport Midweek 1 team finished in 11th place, it was a successful season as the club policy for new players achieved both objectives - giving as many new players as possible competitive experience and keeping the team in Midweek Division 1.

The decision to continue the policy or revert to a normal Midweek 1 squad* will depend on how many new players there are next season and the overall mix of experience available.

*Midweek 1 should, in normal circumstances, be using the best available 12 players out of an experienced squad of 16 and allow 4 front end spaces for a squad of 8 emerging players who need to play competitive bowls at a higher level to improve their game.