Shifnal won their first silverware for their Friday night team as they beat Newport by 56 on Bowring. Captain Paul Beer says it was a “very well run night, thanks to all at Bowring and of course Rob Burroughs for running it. Some cracking bowling from both sides in a very respectful game which early could have gone either way, we just managed to see out the games we were well behind on and finish off the ones in front. Fantastic bunch this lot, all got each other’s backs! Making a bit of history for a fairly new member to the division is always going to feel great, on and upwards to the end of the season and see what that brings.”

Thank you to the Bowring for hosting both finals and doing a great job. Thank you to Mike Potter for taking the pictures from the night for both finals.

Sir John Bayley vice-captain Tom Roden was delighted with their team’s first win in the competition for 71 years! “We’re over the moon to win the Harris Cup (I’m informed it’s over 70 years since SJB last won it). We started well, coming out of the front four 17 shots up, however St Georges showed their class and drew level after 7 blocks. Fortunately it was our night as we won all of the last 3 games to get us over the line. I’d like to thank St Georges for sharing a hard-fought final with us, to Bowring BC for hosting and providing a challenging green in good condition, and to all those behind the scenes making sure the competition runs smoothly.”

Shifnal won their first Harris silverware as they won the first Harris Shield competition by 56 against Newport. But Newport had started well with Phil Emery leading Paul Reeves 14-2 and Steve Handley 9-4 ahead of John Davies. But Paul and John turned their games around, Paul winning 18 and John 15. Greg Carr added a 21-19 win, after being 19-13 up, and Alison Cotton was the best winner of the four 21-11, going 14-4 up from 4-3 down. So this meant that Shifnal led by 24 after four games off.

Shifnal didn’t let up in the middle as Darrell Handley came and won 5 in no time at all to pretty much take the match away from Newport. Newport had had good starts in the other three games but Shifnal’s Dave James recovered from 10-3 down to win 20, Dan Wilson from 10-7 down to win 15 and Tim Benton from 8-5 down to win 19. This meant Shifnal had an unassailable lead of 49.

Rob Steventon won 13 from 7-4 down to further Shifnal’s lead, but Ian Whittington got some cheer for Newport, winning 20 from 10-0 down.

Well done to Shifnal on their success.

Sir John Bayley beat St Georges by 33 after St Georges had led by 2 shots after 6 games off. The Bayley started well with Ayden Smith winning 9 from 10-9 up, and Spencer Clarke from 4-3 down winning 7. But St Georges fought back with two winners of their own, Josh Bradburn winning 19 in a great game with Reece Farr, leading 9-0 but then was 18-13 down, and Pete Grimston who won 17 after leading 16-9. But the Bayley still led by 17 shots.

In the middle and Tony Rhodes won 10 from 11-9 up in the corners, and Joe Killen continued his good form by running out from 13-9 down on a straight mark. But Chris Worthington from 5-2 down went 17-5 up on a 20m mark and won 8, and Jackie Rutter fought back from 17-12 down to win 19 to put the Bayley 13 up off eight games off.

Tom Roden raced 13-2 up and won his game 7 to seal the game and Stuart Rutter added a 15 win which meant the Bayley won by 33, but the game was much closer than that score line suggests!

Well done on Sir John Bayley for winning the trophy for potentially the first time in 70 years!

The Harris Cup Final tonight at the Bowring at 6.30 p.m. sees Premier League Champions Sir John Bayley take on record 16 time winners St Georges. There is only three chalks separating the two teams, just like the Harris Shield final.

Both teams are missing some key players, but they have still named quality line ups. There are several ex Bowring players on either side, with two clashing at number one with St Georges captain Josh Bradburn taking on Reece Farr from the Bayley, and another two at number four with John Cooke playing Ayden Smith. Former Premier League Averages winner Alex Jones plays St Georges stalwart Tony Rhodes at number 5, with number 6 seeing Dan Taylor tackle the in form Joe Killen. St Georges pair Gordon Hawkins and Chris Ward play against the team they left last season, playing Stuart Rutter and Tom Roden respectively.

Bayley vice-captain Tom Roden says “everyone’s looking forward to Saturday night, and I hope there’s a decent crowd at the Bowring for what should be a closely fought final between two of Telford’s top teams.” Opposition skipper Josh Bradburn is “really looking forward to the game, it’s always great to get to a final! It’s against a tough opponent in the Bayley but I feel like we have got the quality to cause an upset”

Scores will be updated here.

The first ever final of the Harris Shield sees the reigning Mid Shropshire League Champions Newport A take on the current league leaders Shifnal A with just 3 chalks in the handicap. Both teams have plenty of quality and experience, with many of the players having played at the highest level in the Premier League and County bowls.

Phil Emery and Paul Reeves have both played for Shropshire County in the last 10 years and clash at number one in the match of the game. Former Shropshire Merit Champion Alan Davidson plays at number three against Greg Carr of Staffordshire in another potential great clash. Martyn France has made a return to bowls at Newport and plays Dan Wilson, who also had a shorter break in 2023. The final two games have plenty of experience to call on with Ian Whittington playing our Over 60s Merit Champion Paul Beer, and record Premier League winning captain Dale Rudrum taking on Rob Steventon, who is now back full time after a few years away.

Newport captain Steve Handley says “it should be a decent game and one we’re looking forward to. They are probably favourites going into it with their league form being so good right now so we will need a big performance on the night. Emo v Reeva first game up could be a great game. We will need a good start with how strong they are towards the end.” Opposition skipper Paul Beer says “I would say both teams would be happy with the draw! As ever it will be tough for both but it will be a hard fought and respectful effort regardless of the result. Shifnal for the first time in a top division final so we are looking to rewrite the history books. Good luck to both sides on the night!”

Scores will be here.

Harris Cup Final
Sir John Bayley v St Georges
Saturday 14th September
Bowring prem green
6.30 p.m. start
Dress code applies

1. Reece Farr v Josh Bradburn
2. ⁠Dave Lloyd v Pete Grimston
3. ⁠Spencer Clarke v Sonya Lucas
4. ⁠Ayden Smith v John Cooke
5. ⁠Alex Jones v Tony Rhodes
6. ⁠Dan Taylor v Joe Killen
7. ⁠Jackie Rutter v Ian Gaut
8. ⁠Chris Worthington v Martin Gaut
9. ⁠Stuart Rutter v Gordon Hawkins
10. ⁠Tom Roden v Chris Ward

Sir John Bayley Reserves:
Owen Evans
Paul Evans
Michael Cooper
Scott Harries
Scott Simpson