Congratulations go to Newport, Donnington Wood and Highley after 24 hours filled with high drama.

Newport pipped St Georges to the first division championship by the narrowest of possible margins after a thrilling last night on Friday.

They beat lowly visitors Allscott Heath 10-3 even though divisional averages winner and Senior Merit champion John Breeze suffered only his second defeat of the season.

The Dragons, runners-up last year to Horsehay, managed 6 winners at Sir John Bayley but missed out on the three aggregate points by a mere 8 chalks – and the final table shows that Newport’s better agg got them over the finishing line first after both sides tied on 178 points.

Donnington Wood had been in pole position in division 2 for a while and made sure of top spot by beating main title rivals Bylet 10-3 in front of an ecstatic Wendy House.

Then on Saturday 23^rd September it was Highley who were celebrating after winning the Harris Cup by battling back from behind to edge Premier League and local rivals Bylet at Sinclair.

It meant they won the coveted trophy for a second time – for details of how they added to their 2019 success see Competition News.

Looking further back, the League’s thanks go to skipper Michael Cooper and the bowlers who represented Mid Shropshire in the Shropshire senior inter-league championship at Chester Road.

They lost to eventual winners Whitchurch A by just 11 chalks but won their other round group game against Tanners Shropshire by 19.

Best wishes go to the League’s team in today’s – Saturday 16^th September – 2023 Shropshire senior inter-league championship in Whitchurch.

Michael Cooper will skipper a squad of 10 players for the 8-a-side event which has attracted just 6 teams to play in 2 round robin groups at Chester Road.

Despite his very best efforts, Tom Killen was thwarted in his bid to run a B team and so has joined what is now the sole entry.

The other bowlers the League is grateful to for making the effort to represent it are Peter Grimston, Harry Church, John Potter, John Roberts jnr, Chris Grocott, Peter Millington, Gary Owen and Simon Oldcorn.

Best of luck lads!

The issue of player behaviour and conduct was raised at a special meeting of the League’s management committee last night – Wednesday 13^th September – at Bowring BC.

It was in the spotlight after the receipt of a letter from Trench secretary David Evans following a couple of incidents at that club in a first division match this season.

And delegates at the meeting decided that the matter should be brought to the attention of all clubs and their members, starting with a post on the website.

Expressing “great dismay” that he had been asked by his club committee to write to the League, David said: “Unfortunately, in recent times, it has been disappointing to witness a steady decline of participant behaviour by small minority in our game.

“Thankfully, these are mostly isolated incidents, with the majority of players playing the game as it should be, in a competitive but sportsmanlike manner.”

He outlined incidents of kicking bowls off the green and swearing, for which the player involved had apologised to his opponent during the game and again afterwards.

“Thankfully, on this occasion, no personal injury or damage to property occurred,” said David.

“However, at a time when we are trying to promote our game to generate more participants of all ages, any unsavoury behaviour by those participating is not a good advert for our League and crown green bowls.

“Following these incidents we suggest that a reminder is sent out to all MSBL club secretaries and a post put on the website.”

Trench and the League’s officers want to stress to everyone:

1 – Bowlers are reminded of their responsibilities and expected standards of behaviour, both on and around the green.

2 – All players should ensure they abide by and follow the League’s Code on Conduct – which can be read under Admin on this site

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.