A special meeting of the League’s management committee will be held on Wednesday 13th September at Bowring (7.30pm start).

The League’s officers feel they need this extra gathering as so much has cropped up since the July executive meeting – and have changed the normal night of it to avoid fixture clashes on Tuesdays.

A big issue to discuss is finalising plans for the annual presentation dinner, booked for Saturday 20^th January 2024 at the West Stand @ TUFC.

By holding this meeting and agreeing a menu etc, before the playing season ends, it is felt that clubs will be able to get round their members to organise numbers etc etc

There is also player conduct, prize money levels, inter-league championships, the Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match, more rule change proposals and the resignation of an officer to talk about on.

“We hope to see all clubs represented as we have much to talk over,” said secretary Malcolm Fletcher

SEPTEMBER MEETING 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

6  Correspondence – resignation & player conduct issue

7  Fixture Secretary’s report

8  Competition Secretary’s report – additional rule change proposals & new comps?

9  Treasurer’s report  – including prize money break down for season

10 Shropshire inter-league update

 – juniors at SJBC, seniors in Whitchurch on Saturday 16^th September

11 Dave Ellis Shield – ladies v gents match at Trench on Saturday 14^th October at 6pm

12 Annual Presentation Dinner – on Saturday 20^th January at West Stand @ TUFC

          Decision on Menu options & cost of tickets  

12 County matters –next executive meeting on October 9

13 Any Other Business

13 President / chairman to close the meeting

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 10^th 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.

The League’s reigning Senior Merit champion will give something back when he organises a charity competition on Saturday 9^th September at Newport.

John Breeze, who won the coveted title at Bylet in April, has invited 8 senior stars to light up the Audley Avenue club, with all proceeds going to Prostrate Cancer UK.

Topping the bill for John – pictured with sponsor Paul Beer after winning the Merit at Bylet – are Double County Merit winners Keith Pessall and Derek Wright when the action starts at 5.30pm.

“John Breeze is organising it to raise money for Prostate Cancer, something that has affected a number of Newport members in the last 12 months,” said club spokesman Steve Anyon.

“This is the first of a series of events for the charity and there is entertainment after the bowling on Saturday, starting at 8.30pm with Paul Watkins, and it is £5 entry on the door, all raffle proceeds going to prostate cancer.”

Keith Pessall, the first Shropshire winner of the British Veterans Merit, plays homester Bill Titley in round one, when the other pairings are Derek Wright v Dave Price, Graham Handley v Dave Brown, John Clarke v Dave Watkins.

Then on Sunday Mid Shropshire will be hosting the Shropshire junior inter-league championship at Sir John Bayley from 10am, when any support to help the under-18s try to retain the title will be much appreciated.

Many of them warmed up for that six-a-side event in the Fletcher Junior Doubles at the same venue last weekend, which was followed later the same day by two well attended Ashton trophy finals at Wrockwardine Wood – for full details see Competition News.

 

It’s the busiest day on the League calendar  tomorrow – Saturday 2^nd September – with two slices of action.

The double whammy starts with the Fletcher Junior Doubles on both greens at the Sir John Bayley Club from 10am.

And under-18 selectors County Deputy President Brenda Slingo and Derek Killen are eager for the youngsters to play in the competition to get ready for the junior inter-league championship at the same venue next weekend.

Then the Ashton Cup and Shield finals for Monday division teams follow in the evening on the two greens at Wrockwardine Wood.

Holders Newport take on Horsehay in the main Cup final on the No.1 green from 6.30pm, with County President Mick Jones in the Fishes’ line-up as they take on a Hoss side that were runners-up in the Shield last year.

The final of the consolation KO for the Ashton Shield sees Donnington Wood tackle Much Wenlock on the No.2 from 7pm.

The pairings and handicaps for both finals are in posts under Competition News.

The lack of monthly League meetings has been new this season, but that will change in September.

Officers have decided they need to call member clubs together to discuss so many things that have cropped up since the July executive meeting.

But they have opted call an extra meeting on a Wednesday to avoid fixture clashes the night before!

So a management meeting of the MSBL will be held on Wednesday 13^th September at Bowring BC, starting at 7.30pm.

High on the agenda will be making plans for the annual presentation dinner – which has been pencilled in for Saturday 20^th January 2024 at the West Stand @ TUFC.

By holding this meeting and agreeing a menu etc, before the playing season ends, officers feel that clubs will be able to get round their members to organise numbers etc etc

There is also player conduct, prize money levels, inter-league championships, the Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match, more rule change proposals and the resignation of an officer to talk about on 13^th September.

And, having called an extra meeting, which is vital that clubs attend, there will be no Newsletter No. 3 published for August.

On the playing front, Trench celebrated their centenary in style on Sunday 27^th August, at the end of which a Mid Shropshire Select team defeated a Mike Potter All Stars side in a 16-a-side match . . . by all of 1 chalk!

The day before Sinclair duo Harry Church and John Potter were celebrating too as they won the Dixon Driscoll Doubles at Edgmond – see Competition News.

The Mid Shropshire club that celebrates its centenary tomorrow – Sunday 27^th August – received a major boost in the countdown to the big day.

Following visits to all six finalists this week, the judges have declared Trench as the winners of the 2023 Dennis UK-Sisis Shropshire Best Kept Green competition.

And that gives club members and proud secretary and groundsman David Evans even more reason to look forward to tomorrow’s celebration that starts at 11.30am.

Around 100 bowlers and friends will take part in a packed programme of events, including challenge matches between Trench past and present bowlers and Mid Shropshire League bowlers, while the club’s veterans and ladies will take on invitation teams captained by Ian Evans and County Deputy President Slingo.

“We have had an overwhelming response from members, past members, friends of Trench Bowling Club, and the Mid Shropshire ‘Bowling Family’ and we thank them all for their support,” said main centenary event organiser David Evans.

Trench finished with a mark of 55.5 points to pip Whixall (53) and Edgmond and Tilstock (both 52.5) to the best kept green accolade.

Spokesman for the judges, Phil Ellett from Warwickshire, said: “What a great selection of great greens from around the county and all six should be mightily proud of themselves for the quality on show.

“All the greenkeepers need to take a bow for their sterling efforts in producing greens that any bowler would love to play on.”

County chairman Phil Scott added: “Well done to all six on reaching the final and to Trench for winning – a tremendous effort by all six clubs and groundsmen.”

Two first division clubs will tonight – Wednesday 23^rd August – fly the flag for the League in its main team knockout for the Harris Cup.

High-flying promoted side Shifnal A and Wrockwardine Wood A are out to spring upsets in their five home-five away ties against Premier League opponents from 7pm.

Shifnal, boasting news signings aplenty this season, have a 29 shot handicap advantage over Highley – Harris Cup winners in 2018 – while the Wrockites have 17 chalks in hand as they take on Bylet.

Harris Cup holders Hadnall (skipper Andy Marhsall is pictured receiving the historic trophy from League President Mike Potter after last year’s final) were knocked out by Highley in the last 16.

Congratulations go to four-time County Merit champion Peter Farmer as the St Georges man became the first winner of the Thursday Night Merit, kindly sponsored by June Lewis (see Competition News for full details).

And the knockout action continues on Saturday 26^th September, with the Dixon Driscoll Doubles at Edgmond, starting at 10an.

A Mid Shropshire Select team will then feature in one of four special challenge matches at Trench 24 hours later as the club celebrates its centenary in style.

The following weekend, on Saturday 2^nd September, it’s Ashton Cup and Shield finals night with Wrockwardine Wood hosting them on their 2 greens.

Semi-finals time tonight (Wednesday 16th August) brings the action in the Ashton Cup and Ashton Shield closer to the boil.

Fourth division leaders Newport D are favourites to win the League’s top five home-five away KO for its Monday sides.

But they won’t have it easy against a Wrockwardine Wood C team who are third in the table, the other semi-final being Bowring C against fifth division Horsehay C.

Shifnal D of division six are the lowest ranked side left in the consolation competition for the Shield – and they face Donnington Wood B tonight while Charlton B take on Much Wenlock B.

The league’s main knockout for the Harris Cup saw first division newcomers Shifnal A knockout reigning champions Horsehay A to make next week’s semi-finals alongside Wrockwardine Wood A and Premier League pair Highley and Bylet.

And  competition secretary Rob Burroughs has now confirmed that the first Thursday Night Merit will go ahead at the Bayley Club on Sunday 20^th August at 10am – with sponsor June Lewis planning to be in attendance.

Calling all the junior bowlers that play in the League (and their parents or carers of course!)

The MSBL will host the Shropshire junior inter-league championship on Sunday 10th September on the 2 greens at Sir John Bayley.

And given that Under-15 Merit champion Jordan Millman cannot play due to doing brilliantly to qualify for the finals of the Midland Masters on the same day, selector Brenda Slingo – pictured – is eager to confirm who is available to represent the League.

“I sent 12 messages to juniors last week and had 7 replies, so I sent the other 5 again on Monday and still no reply,” said Brenda, who is serving as County Deputy President this year after being nominated by the League.

“We will all do our very best to try and follow last year and win the junior inter-league again this season but, if not, I hope we will all have put our very best efforts into the day.” 

Her fellow selector Derek Killen will also be missing as his twins, Joe and Tom, are also in the Midland Masters finals, so the League will need a DBS cleared volunteer to manage the B team that Brenda is trying desperately to field next month.

Meanwhile, Trench and Edgmond will represent the Mid Shropshire area in the final round of judging for the 2023 DENNIS UK SISIS Shropshire Best Kept Green Competition.

The marks of the Mid Shropshire judges, led by chairman Sean Round, were Trench 53 points, Edgmond 49 points, Cleobury Mortimer 48 points.

The final stage of judging is on August 22 with the other four finalists being Whixall, Tilstock, Castlefields (No 1 green) and Worthen & Brockton.

Commiserations to Wrockwardine Wood after losing in the Shropshire Cup final against holders Castlefields at Chester Road in Whitchurch last weekend.

And finally, competition secretary Rob Burroughs stresses that the deadline for the new Thursday Night Merit is Monday 14^th August with a minimum of 16 needed to ensure it goes ahead at the Bayley Club on Sunday 20^th August at 10am.

He has posted entry details under Competition News but sponsor June Lewis has added £125 to the prize fund so there should be plenty to play for!

Wrockwardine Wood carry the hopes of all Mid Shropshire as they fly the flag for the League in the Shropshire Cup final on Saturday 5^th August.

The Wrockites take on holders Castlefields on the Premier green at Whitchurch club Chester Road aiming to become only the 3^rd League club to win the trophy in seven years.

It’s a 10-a-side clash sponsored by KGJ Insurance that starts at 6.30pm for a trophy won by Newport in 2021 and Highley in 2018.

The League’s best wishes for the final go to the Wood’s boys and girls – for full details of the 1 to 10 draw please go to https://scgba.co.uk/kgj-insurance-shropshire-cup-final-draw/

Meanwhile, Wood’s near neighbours Trench are celebrating winning the Mid Shropshire regional title in this year’s DENNIS UK SISIS Shropshire Best Kept Green Competition

They received 53 points to pip Edgmond on 49 to top spot with the judges Sean Round, Eric Hall and Arthur Morris declaring jointly: “We would like to thank all our hosts for their hospitality and their excellent greens.”

County secretary Dawn Gray added: “All the regional judging has been done, the results are in and the 6 greens going forward to the final stage of judging on Tuesday 22^nd August are:

Trench BC; Edgmond BC; Whixall BC; Tilstock BC; Castlefields No 1 BC; Worthen and Brockton BC

And finally, the League is delighted to announce that Sir John Bayley have agreed to host the Shropshire junior inter-league championship on Sunday 10th September to their 2 greens.