Holders Mid Shropshire will not get the chance to defend the Shropshire junior inter-league bowls championship this year.
The 2023 edition of the six-a-side competition for under-18s was due to have been hosted by the League on Sunday 10th September at the Sir John Bayley Club . . . but not any more.
But League general secretary Malcolm Fletcher said: “We had no alternative but to call it off.
“The Tanners Shropshire League withdrawing its two teams on Wednesday left us with no choice, especially as there were issues raising a team from North Shropshire and question marks over some members of the Mid Shropshire B side.
“The reality is that we would probably ended up with three teams – two from Mid Shropshire and one from Whitchurch – making a mockery of what should be a countywide event.”
It’s a bitter blow for County Deputy President Brenda Slingo who, as a League junior selector, had worked tirelessly to cajole young bowlers and organise two teams for this season’s event.
And disappointed county chairman Phil Scott said the postponement would be discussed at the next county executive meeting on October 9, looking into the format of the event and its date in the calendar to try and avoid clashes of interest.
On a positive note, Sinclair members are now free to support Jordan Millman in the Midlands Masters final – and Mid Shropshire keeps the trophy for another year!
OUR PICTURE shows last year’s A team captain Joe Killen receiving the junior inter-league trophy from President Mike Potter after the final victory at Old Shrewsbury.