A feast of League action is on the menu at the Sir John Bayley Club over the weekend of September 3^rd and 4^th.

Starting at 6.30pm on the Saturday night, the Ashton Cup final will be played on the No. 1 (bottom green) with Newport C (+1) taking on Bowring C (+12).

At the same time, up on the No. 2 (top green), the Ashton Shield showdown will see Allscott Heath C (+1) and Horsehay C (+17) do battle.

Dress code rules will apply for both matches and the League hopes to put on post-match refreshments for all the players.

Then on the Sunday, starting at 11am, the League’s Under-15 and Under-18 Merits will be played at SJB, using both greens if there is a big entry.

League chiefs also hope to play the Fletcher Junior Doubles on the same day and junior selectors Brenda Slingo and Derek Killen are hoping for a big turnout in preparation for the Shropshire junior inter-league the following Sunday, being hosted by the Tanners Shropshire League.

Meanwhile, former junior star Aaron King is celebrating again – see Competition News for picture and details.

Also coming up:

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night: St Georges (Premier) v Hadnall on Newport No. 1 at 6.30pm.

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth (7pm start).

Bridgnorth bowler Pauline Wilson has been shortlisted for a prestigious coaching award – and YOU can vote for her to help her win it!

Pauline, the County Development Officer as well as Shropshire’s coaching chief, is in the running for Coach Bowls’ ‘Coach Of The Year’ for 2022.

And coaches Steve Clamp and Tom Clamp have also been nominated for other awards – the first time the Coach Bowls organisation has ever had nominations from the crown green world.

Pauline – pictured with County Deputy Prseident Mick Jones when winning the MSBL Relaunch 2021 comp – his one of four coaches in the hunt for the top honour and her resume states:

Pauline Wilson – has  been coaching for 12 years and a development officer since 2017 for Shropshire. She  was one of the first Crown Green coaches to gain a Level 2 Qualification and is now an experienced tutor. She also works with the other codes on projects such as the Activator and Level 1 courses.

She has worked tirelessly to get coaching recognised as a key activity with Shropshire, encouraging clubs to have Qualified Coaches. As a result, the county has over 50 active coaches.  As well as her coaching she also manages to play 5 times a week and is a member of the Shropshire Ladies County Team

To vote for Pauline and her crown green colleagues please go to:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SGHKNXH

DATES & REMINDERS

Saturday 3rd September  – Ashton Cup & Shield finals night, hopefully at a two green venue.  

Sunday 4th September – Under-15 & Under-18 Merits, venue to be confirmed, with early rounds followed by Fletcher Junior Doubles (preparation for Shropshire junior inter-league championship in Shrewsbury area the following Sunday)

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth

Responses to a survey of member clubs for their views on ‘Fridays in 2023’ have been flooding in.

Club officials have been asked 7 questions to get their opinions on trying to return the League’s Friday divisions back to 12-a-side fixtures ASAP

The closing date for responses to the survey is Tuesday 23rd August, after which another Officers & Sub Group meeting will consider the results before encouraging a full and frank discussion on the matter at the League’s management meeting on Tuesday 6th September at the SJBC (7.30pm).

All clubs were asked to consult with their team captains and players before pressing the submit button on the survey.

 DATES & REMINDERS

Saturday 20th August – Under-25 Merit at Horsehay, entries taken up until the 11am start time.

Saturday 3rd September  – Ashton Cup & Shield finals night, hopefully at a two green venue. Congratulations to Newport C and Bowring C on making the Ashton Cup final.

Sunday 4th September – Under-15 & Under-18 Merits, venue to be confirmed, with early rounds followed by Fletcher Junior Doubles (preparation for Shropshire junior inter-league championship in Shrewsbury area the following Sunday)

Saturday 10th September – Harris Cup final night

Friday 30th September – Dave Ellis ladies v gents challenge match at Bridgnorth at 7pm

And finally, given recent events at a county senior men’s match at Sinclair, the League’s clubs and bowlers are reminded of the following BCGBA rules:

10 -ELECTRONIC DEVICES, SMOKING AND FOOTWEAR

10.1 – Electronic devices e.g., mobile phones, pagers, smart watches etc, in active mode are not allowed on the green. Should a player fail to comply, that player shall forfeit the game. The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.

10.2 – Smoking: Smoking, vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes is not allowed whilst participating in the game of Crown Green Bowls.  The offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score.

10.3 – Footwear: Hard block-heeled or open-toed footwear must not be worn on the green in any game played under the Association’s jurisdiction. The offending player(s) shall receive no further score and the opponent(s) shall receive the maximum score.     

AND

5.6 – Players are required to give a verbal warning to their opponent and to take every precaution before striking, to eliminate the possibility of causing injury to other players, Referee, Measurers or spectators by being struck with a jack or bowls. A player shall receive a caution for the first transgression of this Law. For a second offence, the game shall be awarded to the opponent(s). The offender(s) to receive no further score and the opponent(s) to receive the maximum score.

The biggest gathering of British crown green bowls talent seen for years will be in action on Saturday 13^th August at a Mid Shropshire club.

A glittering array of stars, including Shropshire’s own British No.1 Callum Wraight, will battle it out at St Georges from 10am for the Mel Evans Trophy.

It goes to the winners of the North versus South team challenge that is sponsored by Local Print Pros of Telford and promoted by Lynn Pritchatt in memory of her late partner.

A series of singles, doubles and triples matches will run through the day on both greens at the Telford club, with the final round of singles timed for 4pm.

Wraight is joined by fellow Shropshire stars Michael Beer, Colin Beaman, Paul Evans, Rich Goddard, Stuart Rutter, Sonya Lucas, Hollie Bishton, Sian Skelton, Tracey Wraight, Tracy Bound and Jackie Rutter in playing for the South team.

They will be led into battle by county legend Tony Poole as president of the South team while former Sir John Bayley Premier League bowler Anthony Bracken is manager.

“Reigning champions the North Team will be wearing Royal Blue and hosts South Team will be sporting Fire Red so the players and the managements will certainly look the part,” said an expectant Pritchatt.

“Which team will be on fire on Saturday? Come along and join us at St Georges to see some of our sport’s best male and female players in action.

“The weather forecast is for a very warm and sunny day and hot and cold refreshments will available all day – St Georges have even secured an ice cream van!

“All proceeds will go to The Mel Evans MBE Foundation to support research into Motor Neurone Disease so join us to see this spectacle of bowls.”

The bowling is followed by a sportsperson’s evening with buffet and auction in St Georges Sports & Social Club, with Wolves football legend Steve Bull MBE the guest speaker.

Championship-chasing Sinclair have already claimed a first League title for 2022 – thanks to Stuart Church.

He won the Mid Shropshire Senior Merit – sponsored by Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Ltd – at Maddocks on Saturday 30th July. For full story see Competition News.

Just down the road from Ketley club Sinclair, Charlton have issued a warning about car parking at the Hadley venue to teams visiting them in coming weeks.

Club secretary John Lumsden reports that some major works are being undertaken on the swimming pool at HLC, starting on Monday 8th August and expected to take approximately 10 days.

There will be no access to the car park during this time and the Bowling Club have been asked to access the green through the roadside gate during this time.

“Alternative car parking will be on the right hand side of the drive as you look at the building (Primary Car Park) and this will affect only a few games – if all done on time,” said John.

Meanwhile, the League has sent condolences to Highley officials after being told of the sad passing for former long-serving secretary Dave Collins.

“We know how much Dave enjoyed the club’s rise through the MSBL Friday divisions to the Premier League – and how proud he was the night Highley won the Harris Cup in 2019,” lamented general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

And finally, an on-line survey has now been sent to all member clubs to get their views on a potential return to 12-a-side fixtures on Fridays.

“Current officers feel they owe it to the League’s founding fathers to restore the tradition of 12-a-side matches on Fridays as soon as they can – and such a move has simply got to help both club and League finances. as soon as possible,” added Malcolm.

The current season may only just be past the halfway stage, but planning for 2023 has already started

And moves to firm up those plans will be made this week at a meeting of the League’s officers and Future Ideas Sub Group.

Member clubs were told at the July executive committee meeting that the officers want to see a return to 12-a-side fixtures on Friday night ASAP, even if it is via a stepped approach with 11-a-side matches in 2023 then returning to 12s in 2024.

And they are eager to give club officials and their members all winter to prepare for a plan of action they hope to confirm at the October executive gathering.

“There are lots of implications for the League and its clubs if we don’t grow back from 10-a-side – and loss of revenue, especially with so few putting on after match food, must be a big concern,” said general secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

Meanwhile, the League’s biggest day of the competition year  is fast approaching as Maddocks prepare to host the League’s Senior Merit finals on Saturday 30th July, starting at 11am.

The comp, being played as a one-dayer this year, is now sponsored by Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Ltd, who have added £100 to the prize fund and £25 for the highest break on the day.

All teams visiting Horsehay for League fixtures need to heed the following warning from their club secretary Steve Reeves.

“Fellow clubs need to be aware that Station Road (Dawley to Horsehay) is now closed until September. The only way to our green is via Doseley,  Lawley or Lightmoor,” reported Steve.

And Newport have been in touch to promote the following open competition next month:

Newport Open – with £400 first prize if all 32 places are taken, to be played on Sunday, August 14, from 10.30am. Home bowlers ineligible, entries (£20 each) to Ian Titley on 07581-194610.

Meanwhile, Maddocks are preparing to host the League’s Senior Merit finals on Saturday 30^th July, starting at 11am.

The comp, being played as a one-dayer this year, is now sponsored by Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Ltd with £125 added to the total prize pot.

Finally, Trench and Horsehay will go forward to represent the Telford area in the county finals of the first Shropshire Best Kept Green competition.

They finished top of the points totals when 3 judges, led by League chairman Sean Round, inspected all entrants last weekend.

A final decision on the Best Kept Green in Shropshire will be made on Monday 15th August by Alan Smith of sponsors Dennis UK after he has visited all the 8 finalists from the 4 areas.

A red extreme heat warning has now been issued for Monday 18^th July when the temperature is forecast to still be higher than 30c at 7pm.

And as the League has a duty of care to its bowlers, the officers feel it would be sensible idea for clubs to be given special dispensation to be allowed to postpone their fixtures in divisions 4-5-6 on that night.

In fact, given the likely conditions, member clubs have been contacted direct by email and actively encouraged to call off their matches, letting their opponents know (and the League) and then re-arranging them within a 28 day period.

Should any fixture go ahead on Monday, those teams taking part are urged to have fluids available all around the green and let bowlers take a break in the shade from playing a game whenever they feel the need.

But the best advice has got to be to re-arrange Monday’s matches so that everyone stays safe.

Saturday 16th July is going to be a big day for four Mid Shropshire clubs who are in the running for a new countywide award.

Three representatives, led by League chairman Sean Round, will judge the 5 Telford area greens entered in the first Shropshire Best Kept Green competition that morning.

Their schedule will start at Trench and will then take in St Georges (to judge both greens), Shifnal and finally Horsehay.

The plan is for judges to spend at least 20 minutes at each green to assess 6 items – Grass Cover, Thatch, Diseases, Running Surface, Weed Control and Surrounds.

Then the Telford area winner will go forward to the county final and the decision on the Best Kept Green in Shropshire will be made on Monday 15th August by Alan Smith of sponsors Dennis UK after he has visited the finalists

Other MSBL clubs have entered the new competition and they have been placed in differing judging areas with different judging arrangements. They are:

South Shropshire area – Bridgnorth, Chelmarsh, Highley and Worfield

Whitchurch area – includes Edgmond

In the blink of an eye – or so it seems – we are at the halfway point of the 2022 season and the pace is really starting to hot up.

The venues for the Senior Merit on Saturday 30^th July and the Under-25 Merit on Saturday 20^th August have now been finalised by organiser Phil King and can be found in Competitions News.

Wednesday 10^th August is quarter-finals night in the main Harris Cup and semi-finals time in the Ashton Cup for Monday division teams, with the consolation KO for the Ashton Shield starting on Wednesday 27^th July. And the good news is that new Highley secretary Richard Green has found the Harris Cup lurking in a cupboard in club pavilion and has returned it!

Then, a week after the final fixtures of the campaign are played, Bridgnorth have agreed to host the annual ladies versus gents challenge match for the Dave Ellis Shield. on Friday 30th September.

Dave, who started the computer revolution with regards to bowls results last century (!), was a member of Bridgnorth so it is only fitting that this fun game is played there this time around.

Looking further ahead, make a note of the date of Saturday 21^st January 2023 . . . as that’s when the League’s annual presentation dinner is poised to return!

General secretary Malcolm Fletcher reported to the July executive meeting:  “I have already sent a letter of congratulations to Sinclair but I’d like to place on my record my thanks to that club for all they did to make Mike Potter’s County Senior Merit finals day last month such a special one. Very well done to Dave Evans of Trench too for being named one of two Unsung Heroes on the day.

“The thanks of the League also go to Wrockwardine Wood for acting as the perfect hosts as we staged the Shropshire veterans inter-league championship. Without clubs like this giving us use of their facilities we simply can’t play our part on the county stage.

“On the subject of young bowlers, there are new junior inter league shirts on the way thanks to Sinclair member Kerry Millman, to be first used at the 2022 Shropshire championship on Sunday 11^th September.

 “With no League meeting in August, I am planning to call an officers / sub group meeting to discuss some of the ideas we will be talking about later on the agenda – and Steve Wall’s idea for a new 6-a-side division on Thursday afternoons for men and women of all ages.”