Monday Night Merit Qualifying Review

We now have our 8 finalists for the 2024 Monday Night Merit on Saturday 6th July.

At the Bowring it was Division 4 Averages Winner Mick Jones who got through by beating Chris Pritchard 18 and Chris Taylor 15. Two Sir John Bayley players got through. Steve Watkins beat Tim Childs 6 and Jamie Pritchard 5, while Eric Reynolds defeated Laura White 17 and Ann Grocott 11. The other qualifier was Des Connelly who got past Gregg Corbett 13 and Lee Taylor 9.

Over at Maddocks it was three Bowring players who qualified. Abi Helliwell beat got past Kevin Edwards 3 and then came through a great game with Emma Chetwood 20, holding off a fightback from Emma from 15-9 down. Stefan Whitehouse defeated Yvonne Kendall 6 and Chelsea Mills 5, while Stuart James beat Brian Jacques 10 and Roger Jones 19, from 17-8 down. The other qualifier was Michael Furness who overcame last year’s runner-up Steve Hendy 9 and Robert Carter 8.

The details for the finals will be released later this week.

Scores from Bowring are here.

Scores from Maddocks are here.

Monday Night Merit Qualifiers Preview

The Monday Night Merit qualifying takes place tonight with 34 players chasing the 8 tickets to finals day on Saturday 6th July. The headline player is former County President Mick Jones, who won the Division Four Averages last season, and takes part at the Bowring. The experienced Chris & Lee Taylor are also there, along with juniors Logan Church and Jamie Pritchard. At Maddocks is last year’s runner-up Steve Hendy looking to go one better, along with other Bowring players like Abi Helliwell. Martin Beddow and Roger Jones aim to use their experience coming up from Highley, while at the other end of the age spectrum sees 7 year old Finley Pessall take part.

Thank you to Denise, Ian and Malcolm for running the sessions tonight.

Scratch time is at 6.30 with the draw done after that.

There is no dress code tonight.

Bowring – Denise Tonks I/C

PlayerClub
Tim ChildsSJ Bayley
Logan ChurchSinclair
Des ConneelyHorsehay
Gregg CorbettHorsehay
Ann GrocottNewport
Ian HalfordHadley USC
Mick Jones ****Newport
Jeanette KinseySinclair
Christopher PritchardSinclair
Jamie PritchardHorsehay
Eric ReynoldsSJ Bayley
Martin SpiresAllscott Heath
Chris TaylorAllscott Heath
Lee TaylorAllscott Heath
Steve WatkinsSJ Bayley
Laura White ****Allscott Heath

Maddocks – Ian Pessall & Malcolm Fletcher I/C

PlayerClub
Martin BeddowHighley
Trish BradburnBowring
Robert CarterNewport
Emma ChetwoodNewport
Kevin EdwardsNewport
Dave EvansEdgmond
Michael Furness ***Shifnal
Abi HelliwellBowring
Steve HendyBowring
Brian JacquesAllscott Heath
Leila JamesBowring
Stuart JamesBowring
Roger JonesHighley
Yvonne KendallAllscott Heath
Chelsea MillsShifnal
Finley PessallAllscott Heath
Jacqui Ward ****Allscott Heath
Stefan WhitehouseBowring

Mixed Doubles Report

Competitions Secretary Rob Burroughs teamed up with Cheryl Caswell to win the 2024 Mid Shropshire Mixed Doubles. They beat Sian Skelton and Scott Harries 7 in the final after going 8-2 and 18-5 up to come out on top of 10 entries.

In the Semi Finals Cheryl and Rob edged past Jackie and Stuart Rutter 20, coming back from 10-3 and 18-12 down. Sian and Scott beat Pauline Wilson and Andy Morgan 15 after being 10-8 down.

The Quarter Finals saw Cheryl and Rob beat Helen Clee and John Clarke 10 from 6 across. Jackie and Stuart defeated Carleen Doody-Millington and Pete Millington 18 after surviving a late fightback from being 20-8 up. Sian and Scott beat Lucy Evans and Tony Garmson 3 after running out from 8-3 up, while Pauline and Andy overcame Shavourne and Paul Osbourne 17, coming back from 11-4 down and running out from 17-14 behind.

The two prelims saw Cheryl and Rob defeat Carol and Steve Faulkner 11 by running out from 14-11 up, and Helen and John got past Lisa Pessall and Nick Davies 19 by recovering from 14-4 behind.

Thank you to Bridgnorth for hosting today, and to all those who entered and helped to measure and mark.

Full results are here.

Thank you to Pauline Wilson and Jackie Rutter for taking the pictures below.

Cheryl Caswell and Rob Burroughs with the trophy.
The Finalists Scott Harries & Sian Skelton and Cheryl Caswell & Rob Burroughs.

Junior Day Report

The Under 18 Merit saw 9 players take part with reigning Champion Dan Corbett retaining the title with a clinical display in the final against Jarrett Cotterill. He raced 9-0 up and then from 12-3 ahead only conceded 1 more.

In the Semi Finals Dan had got past clubmate Jordan Millman 16, running out from 16-15 down on an edge. The other Semi saw Jarrett get past Harris Needham, going 16-8 up from 8-6 down before winning 10.

The Under 15 Merit was won by Rowan Fuller, who finished runner up last season, beat Jarrett Cotterill 18. Jarrett was 10-5 up and then 17-12 but Rowan came back to close the gap at 18-16 and then ran out.

In the Semi Finals Jarrett had beaten Harry Grimston 16 after running out from 16 across, while Rowan defeated Billy Walmsley 14 after going 11-0 and 16-4 up.

Under 18 Quarter Finals:

Jarrett Cotterill was 15-6 down against Rowan Fuller and ran out from 20-15 down.

Harris Needham from 10-6 up only conceded one more against Emily Redden.

Jordan Millman was 9-7 down against Billy Walmsley but then went 13-9 up. Jordan kept this lead to win 15.

Dan Corbett was always in control against Harry Grimston to win 3.

Under 18 Prelim:

Rowan Fuller was always ahead of Finley Pessall to win 8.

Under 15 Merit Quarter Finals:

Jarrett Cotterill was 9-1 up ahead of Finley Pessall before winning 11.

Billy Walmsley had a very close game with Harris Needham and just edged him out 20.

Rowan Fuller was 9-4 down on Emily Redden and then 12-7 down but got back to lead 15-12 and won 16 from 16-15 down.

Thank you to Albrighton Bowling Club for being great hosts today. Thank you to Malcolm Fletcher and County President Brenda Slingo for helping me run the competition, and to our League President Mike Potter for taking the pictures that will follow.

Well done to Dan and Rowan for winning today, and to Jarrett for playing 6 games overall and reaching both finals. Thank you to all 9 juniors for entering and producing a great day of bowls!

Mixed Doubles Tomorrow!

The Mixed Doubles take place tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Bridgnorth.

Entry is £10 per pair, invoiced at the end of the season.

The rule for playing in these Doubles are as follows:

Players on the named list as per rule 21 (c) shall be permitted to play in the Mixed Doubles, but limited to one per pair on that list at the time of the competition.

So one player in the registered 12 of a Premier League club can play in this competition.

Home players are allowed to enter but will owe 2 and the jack each round.

Players can enter on the day or enter with Rob Burroughs on 07901 229623.

There is no dress code.

Bridgnorth are doing bacon baps as well as cheese baps and cake later in the day. There will be tea and coffee and the bar will be open.

Junior Day Tomorrow!

The Junior Day takes place tomorrow at Albrighton Bowling Club at 10 a.m.

The Under 15 and Under 18 Merits will take place on that day. Players who are under 15 on 1st January 2024 can play in both.

It is free entry to both competitions. You can enter on the day or can enter with Rob Burroughs on 07901 229623 beforehand.

Albrighton have kindly offered free food and drink to all Juniors taking part.

Monday Night Merit Qualifying Fields

Please find below the qualifying fields for the Monday Night Merit.

These take place on Monday 24th June at 6.30 p.m. There is no dress code.

There are 4 qualifiers on each green to make up 8 qualifiers for finals day on Saturday 6th July at 6.30 p.m.

Bowring Old Green

PlayerClub
Tim ChildsSJ Bayley
Logan ChurchSinclair
Des ConneelyHorsehay
Gregg CorbettHorsehay
Ann GrocottNewport
Ian HalfordHadley USC
Mick Jones ****Newport
Jeanette KinseySinclair
Christopher PritchardSinclair
Jamie PritchardHorsehay
Eric ReynoldsSJ Bayley
Martin SpiresAllscott Heath
Chris TaylorAllscott Heath
Lee TaylorAllscott Heath
Steve WatkinsSJ Bayley
Laura White ****Allscott Heath

Maddocks

PlayerClub
Martin BeddowHighley
Trish BradburnBowring
Robert CarterNewport
Emma ChetwoodNewport
Kevin EdwardsNewport
Dave EvansEdgmond
Michael Furness ***Shifnal
Abi HelliwellBowring
Steve HendyBowring
Brian JacquesAllscott Heath
Leila JamesBowring
Stuart JamesBowring
Roger JonesHighley
Yvonne KendallAllscott Heath
Chelsea MillsShifnal
Finley PessallAllscott Heath
Jacqui Ward ****Allscott Heath
Stefan WhitehouseBowring

Harris Cup Preliminary Round Preview

The Harris Cup Preliminary Round takes place tonight with 6 ties taking place. The holders Highley have a big handicap of 36 to make up on Shifnal B, while Taylor Support Shropshire Premier League leaders Sir John Bayley have the division one team of St Georges. Division One champions Newport play newly promoted Donnington Wood, while Horsehay, now of the Premier League, play the current Division One leaders Hadley USC. Horsehay’s second team aim to cause an upset against Madeley CC, while the closest handicap sees Bowring have a 5 shot advantage against Sinclair.

The other two ties, Wrockwardine Wood A v Bylet Prem and Charlton v Adderley take place on a later date.

A reminder that a player must have played at least one league game in any league to be eligible tonight. Registered 12s and 6s are in force so no player can play down teams like they can’t in a league match. Once a player plays for a team they cannot play for another team.

1Sir J Bayley(P)(-28)    St Georges A(+1)AtSir J Bayley(P)
1St Georges A(+1)    Sir J Bayley(P)(-28)AtSt Georges A
2Shifnal B(+17)    Highley(P)(-19)AtShifnal B
2Highley(P)(-19)    Shifnal B(+17)AtHighley(P)
3H U S C A(+5)    Horsehay(P)(-15)AtH U S C A
3Horsehay(P)(-15)    H U S C A(+5)AtHorsehay(P)
4Horsehay A(+18)    Madeley C C A(+9)AtHorsehay A
4Madeley C C A(+9)    Horsehay A(+18)AtMadeley C C A
5Donn Wood A(+12)    Newport AAtDonn Wood A
5Newport A    Donn Wood A(+12)AtNewport A
8Sinclair A(+2)    Bowring A(+7)AtSinclair A
8Bowring A(+7)    Sinclair A(+2)AtBowring A
9Bye(+2)    Allscott Heath A(+10)AtN/A
9Allscott Heath A(+10)    Bye(+2)AtAllscott Heath A
10Bye(+2)    SJ Bayley A(+8)AtN/A
10SJ Bayley A(+8)    Bye(+2)AtSJ Bayley A
11Bye(+2)    Shifnal A(+3)AtN/A
11Shifnal A(+3)    Bye(+2)AtShifnal A
12Bye(+2)    Wem U S C(P)(-15)AtN/A
12Wem U S C(P)(-15)    Bye(+2)AtWem U S C(P)
13Bye(+2)    Trench A(+11)AtN/A
13Trench A(+11)    Bye(+2)AtTrench A
14Bye(+2)    Worfield A(+30)AtN/A
14Worfield A(+30)    Bye(+2)AtWorfield A
15Bye(+2)    St Georges(P)(-25)AtN/A
15St Georges(P)(-25)    Bye(+2)AtSt Georges(P)
16Bye(+2)    Burway(P)(-20)AtN/A
16Burway(P)(-20)    Bye(+2)AtBurway(P)

Mixed Doubles on Sunday!

The Mixed Doubles take place on Sunday 23rd June at 10 a.m. at Bridgnorth.

Entry is £10 per pair, invoiced at the end of the season.

The rule for playing in these Doubles are as follows:

Players on the named list as per rule 21 (c) shall be permitted to play in the Mixed Doubles, but limited to one per pair on that list at the time of the competition.

So one player in the registered 12 of a Premier League club can play in this competition.

Home players are allowed to enter but will owe 2 and the jack each round.

Players can enter on the day or enter with Rob Burroughs on 07901 229623.

There is no dress code.

Monday Night Merit Entries by Tomorrow

The qualifiers for the Monday Night Merit are on Monday 24th June at 6.30 p.m.

The last 16 (or 8 if less than 32 entries) will take place on Saturday 6th July at 5.30 or 6.30 p.m.

Entries need to be in by the end of Monday 17th June.

Entry is £3 and invoiced at the end of the season.

Players must have either played 6 Monday Night games the season before or 2 Monday Night games this season. They must have also not played 6 Friday Night games the season before, or 3 Friday Night games this season.

Entries to be sent to Rob Burroughs by text or Whats App on 07901 229623.

Please see the 25 entries I have below.

PlayerClub
Martin BeddowHighley
Trish BradburnBowring
Emma ChetwoodNewport
Tim ChildsSJ Bayley
Logan ChurchSinclair
Des ConneelyHorsehay
Gregg CorbettHorsehay
Kevin EdwardsNewport
Dave EvansEdgmond
Ann GrocottNewport
Ian HalfordHadley USC
Abi HelliwellBowring
Steve HendyBowring
Leila JamesBowring
Stuart JamesBowring
Roger JonesHighley
Mick Jones ****Newport
Finley PessallAllscott Heath
Eric ReynoldsSJ Bayley
Chris TaylorAllscott Heath
Lee TaylorAllscott Heath
Steve WatkinsSJ Bayley
Stefan WhitehouseBowring