Hadley USC’s Nick Mullinder has a liking for the Dixon Driscoll Doubles – and now he’s doubled up in it.

Partnered by former clubmate Ash Gregory, Mullinder won the League’s main doubles trophy for a second time with a 21-13 final victory over Chris and Ann Grocott (Horsehay).

That brought the curtain down on eight hours of action at Allscott Heaton Saturday 30th April in what may be the last league competition to be played on the green before the club moves over the road to a two-green home that will be part of a multi-sports development.

A full house four to go 16-9 ahead was vital in the crunch game for Mullinder and Gregory, now playing Premier League bowls for Newport, as they had to battle hard to see off the husband and wife duo and deny them what would have been a remarkable triumph.

For former county senior team man Chris Grocott, now 34, has not played competitively for five years until signing for Horsehay this season while Ann had just an hour’s practice as preparation for the competition.

Mullinder, who first claimed the title in 2018 with Ayden Smith, and Gregory beat Hollie Bishton & Dan Bodley (Wrockwardine Wood) 21-20 in a marathon semi-final while the Grocotts were easing to a 21-12 victory over Sir John Bayley father and son, Paul and Owen Evans.

Nineteen of the 20 pairs who had entered turned out on the day and eventual winners Mullinder & Gregory enjoyed two huge wins to start the day, beating Carleen Doody Millington & Shavorne Osborne (Trench) 21-4 and organiser Phil King & Phil Jones (St Georges) 21-3.

PICTURED are the proud 2022 winners Ash Gregory & Nick Mullinder

Nick Mullinder & Ash Gregory are the 2022 winners of the Dixon Driscoll Doubles.

The Hadley USC-Newport combination landed the trophy with a 21-13 victory over Chris and Abi Grocott (Horesehay) in a final that brought the curtain down on 8 hours of action at Allscott Heath.

There were 19 entries who enjoyed playing on a super surface on a warm day and a full report and picture will be posted here shortly

Dixon Driscoll Doubles day is on Saturday 30th April.

It will be played at Allscott Heath with a 10am start and dress code rules will apply.

Comps secretary Phil King is still working on finding a date for the Under-25 Merit, hopefully to be played at found member club Horsehay this year as part of the League’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

The deadline for entries in the Ashton Cup for Monday division teams has been extended to Wednesday, 11^th May – the same as the main Harris Cup – with first round ties to be played on May 25.

But unless there are a minimum of 12 teams, there will NOT be a consolation KO for the Ashton Shield this season.

There’s no time to waste if you want to enter the League’s top pairs knockout – the Dixon Driscoll Doubles.

The one-day comp will be played on Saturday 30^th April and, with sufficient numbers, will feature qualifying sessions in the morning and the finals for the last 8 later in the day.

And it means all entries need to be with organiser Phil King by close of play on Saturday 16^th April – because all deadlines for competitions in 2022 are 2 weeks before the actual competition.

So the last day for entries in this season’s Ashton Cup is Tuesday 19th April and the main Harris Cup – now also a 5 home-5 away knockout – is Wednesday 11^th May.

Entry forms can be downloaded from this website under Admin. An Appendix to the Competition Rules for 2022 has been approved to cover the team knockouts and also eligibility for the Senior Merit (after two Covid hit years) and can be seen on this website under Admin 

Please see below the Competition Dates for 2022 so far finalised by organiser Phil King.

All entry deadlines will be 2 weeks before each competition or its starting date.

To mark its 90^th anniversary, the League hopes to use the greens of founder members clubs like Trench, Horsehay and St Georges

Saturday 30^th April – Dixon Driscoll Doubles

Saturday 14^th May – Over-60 Merit (hopefully at Trench)

Wednesday 15^th June – Senior Merit qualifiers

Saturday 30^th July – Senior Merit finals day (with new £125 sponsorship from Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services to add)

Saturday 3^rd September – Ashton Cup & Shield finals

Saturday 10^th September – Harris Cup final

The League plans to stage its Under-25 Merit at Horsehay on a date yet to be announced – and dates are still being worked on for the Junior Merits and Junior Doubles.

New eligibility rules for the Senior Merit and changing the Harris Cup to a five home-five away team knockout will be up for approval at a League executive meeting on Tuesday 5^th April

Team knockout dates in  the calendar are:

Weds 4^th May: Ashton Cup prelims, if needed

Weds 25^th May – Harris Cup & Ashton Cup

Weds 6^th July – Harris Cup and Ashton Cup & Shield

Weds 27^th July- Harris Cup and Ashton Cup & Shield

Weds 24^th August (or possibly the 10^th) – Harris Cup semi-finals and Ashton Cup & Shield semis

While organising the fixtures for the forthcoming season is the top priority for League officers right now, they are determined to see the Competition scene move back towards normal too.

Comps secretary Phil King has already announced that he will be running the main team knockout for the Harris Cup and the Ashton trophies for Monday night teams.

And, with prize money boosted by a new £125 sponsorship deal with Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd, he has high hopes that the 2022 Senior Merit will attract a bumper entry.

Phil is currently working on his comps calendar, looking to avoid problematic clashes with the county dates, other leagues and the Shropshire Ladies.

HE’s also working on some great ideas for events to help the League celebrate its 90^th birthday so watch this space!