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.

It’s that time of year again! This weekend will see the Mid Shropshire area judges out and about as part of the 20223 Best Kept Green in Shropshire.

League chairman Sean Round will be joined by fellow groundsmen Eric Hall and Arthur Morris in doing the rounds on Saturday 29^th July.

This year,  following the withdrawal of Albrighton from the competition, they have to judge the surfaces and surrounds at Edgmond and Trench (pictured) before making the trek to Cleobury Mortimer, who were winners of the first countywide award in 2022.

Best of luck goes to all three clubs and the League’s thanks goes to the judges for giving up their time free of charge.

Meanwhile, the League is happy to report that all 4 member clubs who received the Junior Bowls Discount – Albrighton, Donnington Wood, Hadley USC and Maddocks – have now all held open or coaching sessions as required to get the half price subsidy.

But there are 3 sad pieces of news to close on . . .

First, Horsehay stalwart Steve Reeves reports:  “I’m saddened to share the passing of one clubman, Peter Collins aka PC.

“Peter sadly passed away last weekend. He was a well liked and well loved member of Horsehay BC and over the years has undertaken many roles within the club.

“He was a member for over 60 years and will be missed by us all.”

Secondly, 2 Harris Cup ties this week had to be called off due to the heavy rain on Wednesday night – see Competition News

And lastly, St Georges have turned down a request from the League to host the Shropshire junior inter-league championship in September so officers are now trying to organise another 2-green venue.

It may only be July but the first championship race in the League has been settled.

So belated but sincere congratulations go to Donnington Wood, who are the inaugural winners of new Afternoon Division launched this year.

They enjoyed 10 wins from their 12 six-a-side fixtures as 7 teams contested the first season to pip Albrighton to the title.

The new division was the brainchild of Albrighton stalwart and League vice-chairman and webmaster Steve Wall, who is delighted at how the first campaign has gone – and hopes more teams will join in 2024.

Meanwhile, now that the local schools have broken up for the summer holidays, the coaches at one member club are enjoying a well earned rest after another superb effort.

County Development Officer Pauline Wilson takes up the story, saying: “How’s this for feedback for the coaching team at Charlton Bowling Club from Hadley Learning Centre (when asked about plans for next summer):

“Yes please. All the kids absolutely loved it – and the teachers!

“They all want to do it again . . . and we would love to have you back next year.

“You guys were amazing! Thank you so much on behalf of us all xx”

Pauline added: “The team is Ann Withington, Annette Lucas and Sharon Phillips & Paul Taylor and they completed 8 sessions with different Secondary Groups as part of their PE curriculum and 8 sessions with a Primary after school club.

“There was an average of 18 pupils in each Secondary group = 144 children & 12 children for the 8 weeks in Primary after school club

“It takes a lot of commitment from a club to run regular sessions like this annually – fantastic work. Well done to you all.”

And League officers are proud with the lead role they played in setting up the scheme and then encouraging Charlton to take it on to try and safeguard their club’s future.

Looks like it’s paying big dividends.

Mid Shropshire clubs will feature in the finals of both the Shropshire Cup and County Cup this season.

First division title chasers Wrockwardine Wood have won the right to take on Shropshire Cup holders Castlefields while Sir John Bayley will face the same Shrewsbury  club – who now feature in the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division – with the County Cup at stake.

Meanwhile, officials of all member clubs have been asked to discuss proposals with their bowlers that were outlined to delegates at the League’s recent July executive meeting.

They include:

A League officers proposal to go before the 2024 AGM that Division 1 to go to 11-a-side matches that year and then back to 12-a-side, as pre Covid, in2025

More teams in top divisions from nextyear (ie top heavy not bottom heavy as this season) and no staggered start dates to fixtures

And potential rule changes at next AGM involve:

League, Rule 21 (c) – Premier League 12s and penalties for infringements

Rule 6 – Thursday Division games not to count in permitted transfer totals.

Management,  Rules 12 (b) & 12 (c) –change to introduce a 48 hour deadline before the March executive to give the Fixture Secretary a clearer picture and make firm proposals.

Competition – need to ensure bowlers entering in Monday Divisions Merit have played in them the season before

Look at Harris Cup & Ashton Cup squad registrations

Formally approve new Thursday Division Merit

And it is also suggested that there is a thorough review of the current Appeals process

Finally, to end on a sad note, Bridgnorth club secretary Bill Meredith informs: “Len Hand passed away on the 1^st July aged 98. Len was one of our Life members at Bridgnorth, but probably only remembered by some of the older bowlers in the league.

“He looked after our green for many years, and was a captain of many of the teams. He will be sadly missed.

“His funeral is at Telford Crematorium on Wednesday 2^nd August at 1.30pm.”

Fixture secretary John Palmer was in the spotlight at the League’s July executive meeting.

He reported that, due to performance issues, Mike Beckett has set up a second results service and moved the League’s results to it.

The new address is bowlsresultstwo.co.uk and all the links on this site have been changed to reference it. If you have any bookmarks saved which use the old address bowlsresults.co.uk please change them.

John also asked all member clubs to conduct a review of their registrations and named players now we are at the halfway point of the season, stressing that any future signings, now that the deadline had passed, would need the approval of the officers.

He said there had been 130 new bowlers registered with the League to date this year- and 90 of them had played in a fixture.

Prompted by a request by Madeley Cricket Club, the offices have looked into the matter of green fees for clubs hosting League events and find that it is already covered!

Competition Rule 10 states: Any Club that hosts a competition final or qualifier, or a cup final, will be paid a green fee of £10. This fee will only be paid if the green has been prepared for play on the day.

This rule will be applied from this year onwards in the light of the extra costs member clubs are facing.

Talking of competitions, a new Thursday Division Merit will be launched in August with sponsorship fom June Lewis, wife of the late Dennis Lewis, the former League chairman that the Thursday night divison is named after.

And if all 32 places at £10 are taken it could have a £450 total prize fund. See Competition News for details.

Trench and Edgmond have entered the second Shropshire Best Kept Green Competition and it is Trench, who will celebrate their centenary on August Bank Holiday Sunday, who will host the annual ladies versus gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Shield at the end of the season.

St Georges have been asked to host the Shropshire junior inter-league championship on their 2 greens on Sunday 10th September.

Allscott Heath greenkeeper George Groucott won the 2023 Shropshire Unsung Hero award and is PICTURED receiving if from County President Mick Jones

It looks like George is going to have keep the old green going for the rest of the current season as club sec Bob Kendall reported that the move across the road to the new 2 green site wouldn’t be until this winter.

It seems a while since the last one, but the League has a meeting tomorrow – Tuesday 4^th July.

It’s the July executive gathering at Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club – when there is a £5 fine for club’s not attending – and is the first meeting since April following a change to management rules at the AGM.

Due to the launch of the Newsletter, officers will only cover recent events at this meeting – unless they need decisions on events that have occurred since the start of the playing season. The Newsletters for May and June are available to download on this website via Admin and League Minutes

Tentative plans for the 2024 season are on the meeting agenda along with the launch of another new competition.

Following on from a successful first Monday Division Merit in May, a new Thursday Division Merit is poised to be played later this season, with a sponsorship deal to be announced at the meeting.

JULY EXECUTIVE AGENDA

1  Chairman’s remarks to open the meeting

2  Apologies & In Memoria

3  Minutes of the April Management Committee Meeting

4  Matters arising

5  General Secretary’s report

6  Correspondence

7  Fixture Secretary’s report

8  Competition Secretary’s report

9  Launch of new Thursday Division Merit in 2023

          New Rule required – Thursday Division Merit: 1. Entry is open to all bowlers registered in the Mid Shropshire League who play in this division, having played at least four games in the current season to be eligible.

          Planned date, structure, sponsorship announcement & prize money

10 Treasurer’s report

11 Officers meeting feedback – including plans for 2024

12 County matters –report from executive meeting on May 22

13 Any Other Business

13 President / chairman to close the meeting

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Executive on Tuesday the 3^rd October at SJBC at 7.30pm

It was Sinclair smiles of success all the way at the League’s ‘Junior Day’ at St Georges on Saturday 24^th June.

Jordan Millman retained the Under-15 Merit trophy to mark his last year in the age group while Dan Corbett was a proud winner of the Under-18 Merit.

And that gave the Ketley club a double to be proud of, following on from Stuart Church’s Senior Merit triumph last year.

Jordan, playing regularly in Sinclair’s first division team, ended the fine run of young Rowan Fuller (Wrockwardine Wood) by powering to a 21-6 success in the final.

Dan, a key member of the Sinclair B side that is top of the third division, kept his emotions in check as he turned in a top class display to beat Akeel Duncan 21-15 in the under-18 final, a second successive dose of final agony for the Allscott Heath recruit.

Having been runner-up in the under-15 competition to Jordan last year, Dan came through a 21-19 semi-final tussle with Ben Cutler after conceding five successive twos to be well down.

And the quietly spoken youngster showed the same resolve in the final has he ran out from 15-14 behind, plastering a mark along the top edge of the bottom green at St Georges on a warm day

Akeel had it even tougher in his semi, surviving a 21-20 squeak against Thomas Oare.

Both under-15 semis finished 21-16 with Jordan beating county team-mate Jarratt Cotterill and Rowan running out from well down against Ben Cutler.

Nine bowlers contested the two titles on the day, watched by the League’s selectors Brenda Slingo and Derek Killen.

Organiser Rob Burroughs thanked the host club and announced that the Junior Doubles will be played on Saturday, September 9, as a warm-up to the under-18 inter-league championship the next day.

PICTURED is Under-18 Merit champion Dan Corbett with Rob Burroughs, while a picture of Jordan Millman after retaining the Under-15 Merit will be posted in Competition News

The 2023 season may not yet be at the halfway stage but the League’s officers are already making plans for next year.

They held their first face to face meeting since April to review the campaign to date and cover a whole range of topics over a period of nearly 2 hours.

That means club delegates can expect a packed agenda for the July executive meeting at the Sir John Bayley Club on Tuesday the 4th starting at 7.30pm.

And on that agenda your officers want to plant seeds for clubs to think about and discuss with their members before the playing season ends, with a number of proposals.

For full details please see the June Newsletter, which will be available to download from the League Minutes section under the Admin icon.

Meanwhile, back on the greens this campaign, it’s the preliminary round of the Harris Cup on Wednesday 21st June with Shrewsbury based Prince of Wales Hotel among the sides involved in the five home-five away ties that night.

Hadnall were the shock winners of the historic trophy last year and there has already been a big surprise this year with first division Shifnal A knocking out Premier Leaguers Wrockwardine Wood.

Then on Saturday 24th June it is MSBL ‘Junior Day’ at St Georges (11am start on the bottom green) with the Under-15 and 18 Merits to be played along with the Fletcher Doubles. There’s no entry fees or dress code.

League secretary Malcolm Fletcher urged: “Please spread the word in your club and encourage all under-18s to play in this on Saturday.

“That way our junior selectors, Derek Killen and Brenda Slingo, will get the best chance to pick our junior inter-league teams for Sunday 10th September when we will be defending the title!

“And we want to keep it and add it to the veterans trophy won earlier this month!”