Cup Crackers

Mid Shropshire clubs will feature in the finals of both the Shropshire Cup and County Cup this season.

First division title chasers Wrockwardine Wood have won the right to take on Shropshire Cup holders Castlefields while Sir John Bayley will face the same Shrewsbury  club – who now feature in the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division – with the County Cup at stake.

Meanwhile, officials of all member clubs have been asked to discuss proposals with their bowlers that were outlined to delegates at the League’s recent July executive meeting.

They include:

A League officers proposal to go before the 2024 AGM that Division 1 to go to 11-a-side matches that year and then back to 12-a-side, as pre Covid, in2025

More teams in top divisions from nextyear (ie top heavy not bottom heavy as this season) and no staggered start dates to fixtures

And potential rule changes at next AGM involve:

League, Rule 21 (c) – Premier League 12s and penalties for infringements

Rule 6 – Thursday Division games not to count in permitted transfer totals.

Management,  Rules 12 (b) & 12 (c) –change to introduce a 48 hour deadline before the March executive to give the Fixture Secretary a clearer picture and make firm proposals.

Competition – need to ensure bowlers entering in Monday Divisions Merit have played in them the season before

Look at Harris Cup & Ashton Cup squad registrations

Formally approve new Thursday Division Merit

And it is also suggested that there is a thorough review of the current Appeals process

Finally, to end on a sad note, Bridgnorth club secretary Bill Meredith informs: “Len Hand passed away on the 1st July aged 98. Len was one of our Life members at Bridgnorth, but probably only remembered by some of the older bowlers in the league.

“He looked after our green for many years, and was a captain of many of the teams. He will be sadly missed.

“His funeral is at Telford Crematorium on Wednesday 2nd August at 1.30pm.”