A clear-cut victory in their fourth and final game took the League’s A team to the Shropshire junior inter-league championship for 2022.

The under-18 bowlers enjoyed five winners from the six games in the decisive showdown with Whitchurch on Sunday 11^th September.

Both teams were unbeaten going into the key clash on Old Shrewsbury’s No.1 green, although the eventual champions had been pushed all the way by Mid Shropshire’s battling B team earlier in the day in the round robin format.

But MSBL took complete control against Whitchurch with skipper Joe Killen, Jordan Millman and Dan Corbett giving them a clean sweep of the first three, before Tom Killen, Akeel Duncan and Will Thompson got the job done.

Five teams had contested the title and it was a great way for the Killen twins from Shifnal to bow out from the Shropshire junior scene – and an ideal early birthday present for Mid Shropshire junior selector Brenda Killen ahead of her big day 24 hours later.

“What a privilege to manage a great Mid Shropshire team,” she said.

“It’s sad to say bye to Joe and Tom, but they will both continue to support and help out with our up and coming bowlers and my thanks go to all the league’s bowlers and their parents and guardians.”

Fellow junior selector Derek Killen added: “It was a pleasure to support all our juniors – they were a credit to us – and big thanks to Old Shrewsbury, the organisers and supporters.”

The A team are seen – in their new shirts sponsored by Kerry Millman’s company – with League officials and the trophy after it had been presented by County and Mid Shropshire President Mike Potter.

DON’T FORGET . . . on Friday 30th September, to mark the end of the season, the ladies v gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Memorial Shield will be played at Bridgnorth (7pm start). Anyone who bowls in the League and wants to play in the fun match should contact general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

On Saturday, September 10, at Newport BC (No. 1 green)  

2022 HARRIS CUP FINAL – 6.30pm start

St Georges (Premier) v Hadnall

  The League’s main team knockout is back after a 3-year hiatus cause by Covid .

   And the re-launch of the showpiece has been given a special feel due to Hadnall marking their first ever entry in the 72-year-old knockout by reaching its climax.

   It’s the first ever 10-a-side final of the competition and it the villagers face a St Georges team who have such a proud record in the Harris Cup, having won it 8 times since 1995.

  But at Newport they have a 42 shot handicap to cope with. COuld well turn out to be a cracker!

Grassroots bowls at its best was the tribute paid to the four teams that contested the Ashton trophy finals.

It came from League president Mike Potter after the two finals for Monday division teams were played at separate venues on the evening of Saturday 3^rd September.

Newport C won the man Ashton Cup on Sir John Bayley No.1 while Allscott Heath C landed the consolation Ashton Shield just up the road in Wellington on Bowring’s No.1 green – but both finals were mighty close as the handicap system worked.

Big wins by Ian Wright (21-5) and Patrick Evans jnr (21-9) helped division four high fliers Newport overcome an 11 shot handicap to beat Bowring C by 10 shots, Dean Heighway’s 21-8 card the best of four winners from the 10 games for the division five promotion hopefuls.

Allscott had an even bigger 16 shot handicap to surmount against Horsehay C, but 21-8 wins by Rob Sutherland and Laura Taylor and 21-9s from Jeff Davies and Casey Starling got them over the line by just seven chalks, Mick Davies winning 21-11 for skipper Des Conneely’s 2019 Shield winners.

“The League thanks all four teams in the Ashton trophy finals for delivering two cracking games played in exactly the right spirit with grassroots bowls the real winner,” said secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

“And sincere thanks to League president Mike Potter and wife Lin for making both presentations at two different venues thanks to a 15 minute difference in the start times.”

Full scores and pictures will be posted shortly under ASHTON CUP and ASHTON SHIELD headlines in Competitions News

Coming up this Saturday – 10th September – it’s the Harris Cup final night with St Georges (Premier) against first time entrants Hadnall on Newport No. 1 at 6.30pm.

Then on Friday 30th September, to mark the end of the season, the ladies v gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Memorial Shield will be played at Bridgnorth (7pm start). Anyone who bowls in the League and wants to play in the fun match should contact general secretary Malcolm Fletcher

Looks like it may be a long one . . .

Notice for the September 2022 Management Committee Meeting

On Tuesday 6^th September at the Sir John Bayley Club at 7.30pm

AGENDA

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the July Executive Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report & Correspondence

6  Fixture Secretary’s report

7  Competition Secretary’s report – including cup finals updates

8  Treasurer’s report – club annual accounts to be paid by October exec meeting

9  Annual Dinner – Saturday 21^st January 2023 at The West Stand @ TUFC (select menu, set ticket price & club raffle prize charge)

10 Ladies v Gents for the Dave Ellis Shield – at Bridgnorth on Friday 30^th Sept, 7pm start

11 County matters – next executive meeting on 10^th October

12 Planning for next season – Fridays in 2023survey results, other feedback and cost of living concerns

13 Any Other Business

14 President / chairman to close the meeting

DATE OF NEXT MEETING – executive on Tuesday 4^th October at SJBC

To be followed by presentations to the new Life Members for 2022

Due to a number of issues, the League has had to make changes to the schedule for the Ashton finals on Saturday 3^rd September.

The Ashton Shield final will now be played at Bowring, with a later start time so that League officials can switch between venues to make the presentations.

So the revised programme is now

6.30pm start – Ashton Cup on Sir John Bayley No. 1 (bottom green) – Newport C (+1) v Bowring C (+12)

6.45pm start – Ashton Shield on Bowring No.1 (the big crown green) – Allscott Heath C (+1) v Horsehay C (+17)

Dress code rules will apply for both matches and, due to the lack of referees now available in Shropshire, each team will be expected to provide a measurer. And there will be no post match refreshments.

But League chiefs hope both Bayley greens will be in use on Sunday 4th September from 11am for the Under-15 and Under-18 Merits.

 It is also hoped to play the Fletcher Junior Doubles on the same day and junior selectors Brenda Slingo and Derek Killen are hoping for a big turnout in preparation for the Shropshire junior inter-league the following Sunday, being hosted by the Tanners Shropshire League.

 Also coming up:

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night: St Georges (Premier) v Hadnall on Newport No. 1 at 6.30pm.

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth (7pm start).

A feast of League action is on the menu at the Sir John Bayley Club over the weekend of September 3^rd and 4^th.

Starting at 6.30pm on the Saturday night, the Ashton Cup final will be played on the No. 1 (bottom green) with Newport C (+1) taking on Bowring C (+12).

At the same time, up on the No. 2 (top green), the Ashton Shield showdown will see Allscott Heath C (+1) and Horsehay C (+17) do battle.

Dress code rules will apply for both matches and the League hopes to put on post-match refreshments for all the players.

Then on the Sunday, starting at 11am, the League’s Under-15 and Under-18 Merits will be played at SJB, using both greens if there is a big entry.

League chiefs also hope to play the Fletcher Junior Doubles on the same day and junior selectors Brenda Slingo and Derek Killen are hoping for a big turnout in preparation for the Shropshire junior inter-league the following Sunday, being hosted by the Tanners Shropshire League.

Meanwhile, former junior star Aaron King is celebrating again – see Competition News for picture and details.

Also coming up:

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night: St Georges (Premier) v Hadnall on Newport No. 1 at 6.30pm.

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth (7pm start).

Bridgnorth bowler Pauline Wilson has been shortlisted for a prestigious coaching award – and YOU can vote for her to help her win it!

Pauline, the County Development Officer as well as Shropshire’s coaching chief, is in the running for Coach Bowls’ ‘Coach Of The Year’ for 2022.

And coaches Steve Clamp and Tom Clamp have also been nominated for other awards – the first time the Coach Bowls organisation has ever had nominations from the crown green world.

Pauline – pictured with County Deputy Prseident Mick Jones when winning the MSBL Relaunch 2021 comp – his one of four coaches in the hunt for the top honour and her resume states:

Pauline Wilson – has  been coaching for 12 years and a development officer since 2017 for Shropshire. She  was one of the first Crown Green coaches to gain a Level 2 Qualification and is now an experienced tutor. She also works with the other codes on projects such as the Activator and Level 1 courses.

She has worked tirelessly to get coaching recognised as a key activity with Shropshire, encouraging clubs to have Qualified Coaches. As a result, the county has over 50 active coaches.  As well as her coaching she also manages to play 5 times a week and is a member of the Shropshire Ladies County Team

To vote for Pauline and her crown green colleagues please go to:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SGHKNXH

DATES & REMINDERS

Saturday 3rd September  – Ashton Cup & Shield finals night, hopefully at a two green venue.  

Sunday 4th September – Under-15 & Under-18 Merits, venue to be confirmed, with early rounds followed by Fletcher Junior Doubles (preparation for Shropshire junior inter-league championship in Shrewsbury area the following Sunday)

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth

Responses to a survey of member clubs for their views on ‘Fridays in 2023’ have been flooding in.

Club officials have been asked 7 questions to get their opinions on trying to return the League’s Friday divisions back to 12-a-side fixtures ASAP

The closing date for responses to the survey is Tuesday 23rd August, after which another Officers & Sub Group meeting will consider the results before encouraging a full and frank discussion on the matter at the League’s management meeting on Tuesday 6th September at the SJBC (7.30pm).

All clubs were asked to consult with their team captains and players before pressing the submit button on the survey.

 DATES & REMINDERS

Saturday 20th August – Under-25 Merit at Horsehay, entries taken up until the 11am start time.

Saturday 3rd September  – Ashton Cup & Shield finals night, hopefully at a two green venue. Congratulations to Newport C and Bowring C on making the Ashton Cup final.

Sunday 4th September – Under-15 & Under-18 Merits, venue to be confirmed, with early rounds followed by Fletcher Junior Doubles (preparation for Shropshire junior inter-league championship in Shrewsbury area the following Sunday)

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth at 7pm

And finally, given recent events at a county senior men’s match at Sinclair, the League’s clubs and bowlers are reminded of the following BCGBA rules:

10 -ELECTRONIC DEVICES, SMOKING AND FOOTWEAR

10.1 – Electronic devices e.g., mobile phones, pagers, smart watches etc, in active mode are not allowed on the green. Should a player fail to comply, that player shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.

10.2 – Smoking: Smoking, vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed whilst participating in the game of Crown Green Bowls.  The offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score.

10.3 – Footwear: Hard block-heeled or open-toed footwear must not be worn on the green in any game played under the Association’s jurisdiction. The offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score.     

AND

5.6 – Players are required to give a verbal warning to their opponent and to take every precaution before striking, to eliminate the possibility of causing injury to other players, Referee, Measurers or spectators by being struck with a jack or bowls. A player shall receive a caution for the first transgression of this Law. For a second offence, the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.