The 2023 Shropshire Verti-Drain and Turf Services Senior Merit takes place tonight with 16 players hopeful of putting their name on the trophy for the first time. Games start at 6.30 p.m. with the first four games on the no.1 green and the last four on the no.2 green, with the Quarter Finals onwards to take place on the no.1 green.
Dress code applies.
Scores will be updated here. Live scores should be on from the Quarter Final onwards.
There should be some live coverage on the Mid Shropshire Facebook group here.
Please see a preview of each match below:
Harry Church (Sinclair) v Angus Needham (Sir John Bayley)
Harry was the best player in the league last year when winning the Division One Averages, while Angus has recently signed for Sir John Bayley after playing last season with Shifnal, helping them to the Division Two title.
Lee Parton v Greg Needham (Shifnal)
Lee has worked his way into the Bowring 1st Division team, finishing second in their Averages last season, while Greg has moved from Newport to St Georges and now is at Shifnal, helping them win the Division Two title last season.
Phil Jones (Wrockwardine Wood) v Phil Emery (Newport)
This is the tie of the last 16, with Phil Jones being a former Premier League Merit winner having come through the Shropshire Junior County, while Phil was an integral part of Newport’s domination in the Premier League which helped him make the Senior County side.
Will O’Hara (Sinclair) v John Breeze (Newport)
Will has settled down at Sinclair now after starting at Maddocks and then moving to St Georges. John is now back in the game after being a key player in the Senior County side and winning the Shropshire County Merit in 2000, showing he still has his competition form when winning the Norman Ford Classic at the start of this month.
Andy Garbett (Horsehay) v Graham Bleakley (Madeley CC)
Andy captained Horsehay to their historic win in Division One last season, while Graham played in every single Madeley Cricket Club team last season, including playing three consecutive Cottons on a Thursday night!
Nick Marshall (Bowring) v Simon Hall (Sinclair)
Nick has been at the Bowring for over 10 years now, working his way up to be a key player in their Division One side. Simon has been a consistent player for Sinclair till last season when he only made 8 appearances for them.
Nick Mullinder (Hadley USC) v John Roberts (Horsehay)
Nick won the Dixon and Driscoll Doubles last season and looks to make it a double tonight, while John won the Division One League Averages in 2015 and after playing in the Premier League at Newport, is now at Horsehay.
Louise Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood) v Peter Gaut (St Georges)
Louise looks to be the first female winner of this competition after becoming a key player in the Division One side at Wrockwardine Wood. Pete has come back into the game again after having a break from 2015 to 2022, and has a great record in Division One in each season he has played.