Established in 1932, it’s nearly time to celebrate the League’s 90^th birthday!

In fact the 90^th Anniversary celebration is just four days away, the party being at founder member club St Georges on Saturday.

That’s when £90 in prize money will be divided between the last four in the MSBL @ 90 Singles featuring representatives of 32 present and past clubs that starts at 10.30am on the original bottom green. In addition, two trophies that are nearly as old as the League have been specially engraved and will go to the finalists.

The celebration is FREE to enter, with hot food (bacon and sausage baps) and drinks available all day – and the bar will be open too! – with those attending encouraged to buy one of 90 squares that will be on sale, with the lucky winner to receive £50.

The singles competition is the centrepiece of the day but, at 1pm, a fun challenge match will start on the top green and ANYONE with a Mid Shropshire connection who wants to be part of what we hope will be a day to remember and wants to play in it WILL get a game – against a bowler of a similar ability.

The aim is for both competitions to finish at teatime – and that is followed by the chance to see the popular music duo the James Brothers perform in the function room at the Sports & Social Club that evening from 9pm for just £5 per head.

Hope to see you there!

The countdown to the League marking its 90^th anniversary with a special event as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations has begun.

The Mid Shropshire League, formed in 1932, is organising a day of its own celebrations on Saturday (JUNE 4) from 10.30am at St Georges Bowling Club.

“St Georges were one of the founding member clubs of the league so it is fitting that the 90^th anniversary party is being staged there,” said League secretary Malcolm Fletcher.

“The day starts with a singles competition on the original bottom green with representatives from the last 32 clubs to have played in the league taking part and the winner to receive a trophy that is nearly as old as the league!

“Then at 1pm there will be a fun challenge match on the top green for anyone with a Mid Shropshire connection to be involved in.

“Everyone who wants to play will get a game against a bowler of a similar ability, with the two teams to be captained by Paul Beer and Alison Cotton of the host club, who the league thanks for acting as hosts.

“We just hope that we get a big turnout for what we plan to be a special day to give the League a memorable 90^th birthday.”

Entries are now flowing in for this year’s Senior Merit, now sponsored by Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd to the tune of £125 – see Competition News for details.

Wednesday 25^th May is prelim round night in the Harris Cup and first round night in the Ashton Cup for Monday teams, although the tie between Wrockwardine Wood D and Charlton has to be re-arranged due to Covid.

There’s just former club Elephant & Castle (Shawbury) left to let the League know who will represent them in the MSBL @ 90 Singles at St Georges on Saturday 4^th June (10.30am start).

A trophy from the 1940s will go to the winner from the 32-strong field on the bottom green, the banners and bunting are in hand, a PA system organised and St Georges are on top of the good and drink.

Everyone with any connection to the League is urged to attend and anyone who wants to play in the fun challenge match on the top green from 1pm, with Paul Beer and Alison Cotton as captains, WILL get a game against someone of a similar ability.

Meanwhile, both Mid Shropshire teams are through to the last eight of the Shropshire senior inter-league championship  without delivering a bowl in anger!

And the draw for the quarter-finals on Saturday 25^th June (6.30pm start) sees MSBL A take on Whitchurch B at Old Shrewsbury (No.2 green) while MSBL face Premier League Blue at Donnington Wood.

The MSBL A squad is: Michael Cooper (captain), Les Mumford, Paul Beer, Lee Parton, Darren Lord, Nick Mullinder, Aidy Ashley,  Joe Killen, Alison Cotton.

MSBL B (Malcolm Fletcher non-playing captain!)  – Peter Millington, Tony Garmson, Phil Craggs, Tony Roche, Jayne Craggs, Pauline Wilson, James Blair, Paul Bradburn, Tom Killen.

The draws for the Harris Cup and Ashton team knockouts – now both 5 home-5 away – have been made, with opening ties to be played on Wednesday 25^th May – see Competition News

And the squads for the MSBL A and B teams for this year’s Shropshire senior inter-league championship have also been selected – see below.

The A team were due to play a preliminary round tie in the 8-a-side knockout on Saturday 21st May – but that is now OFF as scheduled opponents Tanners Shropshire can’t raise a side due to lack of interest.

So both will now feature in the quarter-finals on Saturday 25^th June – unless the county association’s competitions committee decide otherwise!

The League is still waiting to hear from 3 clubs as to who will represent them in the MSBL @ 90 Singles at St Georges on Saturday 4^th June (10.30am start).

And anyone who wants to play in the fun challenge match on the top green from 1pm, with Paul Beer and Alison Cotton as captains, WILL get a game against someone of a similar ability.

The MSBL squad for Shropshire veterans inter-league championship on Saturday 11th June at Wrockwardine Wood is being picked this week and bowlers selected will be notified via their clubs.

SENIOR INTER-LEAGUE SQUADS

MSBL A – Michael Cooper (captain), Les Mumford, Paul Beer, Lee Parton, Darren Lord, Nick Mullinder, Aidy Ashley,  Joe Killen, Alison Cotton.

MSBL B (Malcolm Fletcher non-playing captain!)  – Peter Millington, Tony Garmson, Phil Craggs, Tony Roche, Jayne Craggs, Pauline Wilson, James Blair, Paul Bradburn, Tom Killen

Two more slices of Mid Shropshire history have been made in this, the League’s 90^th anniversary year.

The Over-60 Merit returned to the same venue, Trench, where the competition was played for the first time back in 2016, and – like then – it ended with the same winner!

That was Dave Brown, now bowling full-time with Sinclair, who defeated last year’s champion Kevin Carter (Broseley) 21-9 in the final on a day that saw Helen Clee of Wrockwardine Wood become the first lady bowler to compete in it.

But it was Dave who came out on top of 9 entries to earn the right to have his named engraved on the Ray & Jeff Hutchinson Trophy for a second time

The 2022 Over-60 Merit entrants face the came at Trench: Back (from left) Dave Brown, Dave Wall, Pete Spragg, Kevin Carter, Keith Pessall; front, Tony Roche, Helen Clee, Steve Wall, Dave Oldcorn,

For full details see Competition News.

Now all the over-60s who bowl in the League will be waiting to see who is selected to represent Mid Shropshire in the Shropshire veterans inter-league championship on Saturday 11th June at Wrockwardine Wood.

The squad to be captained by Peter Spragg will be finalised at a meeting this week.

In the wake of another poorly attended May management meeting of the League, clubs have been emailed direct with matters arising from it – one of the most important being that the May meeting may become a thing of the past! Things to note are …

Fixture Secretary update:

The season has started pretty well with only a few minor issues, Wrockwardine Wood withdrawing their division 3 team on the day the Friday leagues were due to start. Unfortunately, this left the division with two byes and I don’t think we have any way of manipulating the fixtures now that the season has started,

Unlisted players for various reasons: I’ve been lenient as regards to fines with it being early in the season and with many new club officials not familiar with the system. Clubs now know the score so fines will be imposed from this meeting on.

There’s one fine for a walkover – Albrighton for their C team v Wrockwardine Wood in division 6 on 11th April.

Cups/Comps update:

General secretary Malcolm Fletcher is now the person to contact with late entries for the Harris Cup or Ashton Cup before the deadline day of Wednesday, 11^th May. The draws for both knockouts will be made on Monday 16^th May.

HARRIS CUP (now 5 home-5 away) entries to date – 20:

St Georges, Hadley USC, SJ Bayley, Newport, Bowring, Wrockwardine Wood, Horsehay, Trench, Sinclair, Madeley CC, Allscott Heath, Worfield, Shifnal, Charlton, Hadnall, St Georges (Prem), Newport (Prem), Wrockwardine Wood (Prem), Highley (Prem), Bylet (Prem).

ASHTON CUP entries to date – 14

Allscott Heath, St Georges, Wrockwardine Wood C, SJ Bayley, Madeley CC, Sinclair, Hadley USC, Newport, Trench, Bowring, Wrockwardine Wood D, Charlton, Shifnal, Much Wenlcok.

The OVER-60 MERIT will be played on Saturday 14^th May at Trench, starting at 11am. Entries will be taken on the day and the League is anxious to encourage ladies to enter this competition. To clarify eligibility, bowlers must be 60 by the day of the competition. Entry costs £8 and in charge on the day will be chairman Sean Round and former vice-chairman Dave Evans of the host club.

DIXON DRISCOLL DOUBLES report- see Competitions News

 90th Anniversary Celebration:

Most clubs have now nominated a representative to play in the MSBL @ 90 singles knockout on Saturday 4th June on the bottom green at St Georges, starting at 10.30am. This will be a 32-strong field featuring the 25 current member clubs and 7 recently lost to the League.

The plan for the top green is a fun challenge match starting at 1pm with a whole host of bowlers to be invited to play. But I can’t stress enough that ANY League bowler who wants to be part of the special day by playing in this match WIIL be accommodated!

Inter-league News

Wrockwardine Wood will host the Shropshire veterans championship on Saturday 11^th June. Sinclair stalwart Peter Spragg will captain the MSBL team.

Mid Shropshire has entered 2 teams in the senior inter-league championship and MSBL A, with Michael Cooper as captain, face a preliminary round tie against the Tanners Shropshire on the small green at Whitchurch club Bridgewater on Saturday 21^st May (6.30 or 7pm!).

Mid Shropshire has entered 2 teams in this year’s Shropshire senior inter-league championship – and one of them is through to the quarter-finals already!

That’s MSBL B, who will not feature in the eight-a-side knockout (with ties on Saturday nights, 7pm, at neutral venues) until the last 8 do battle on June 25.

But MSBL A, with Michael Cooper as captain, face a preliminary round tie against the Tanners Shropshire on the small green at Whitchurch club Bridgewater on Saturday 21^st May.

Both teams will be picked from the players who have made themselves available – having been contacted via their clubs – by the selectors on May 15^th.

And they will then be notified either via their clubs again or directly – if the general secretary has an email address or mobile phone number for them.

And general secretary Malcolm Fletcher is now the person to contact with late entries for the Harris Cup or Ashton Cup before the deadline day of Wednesday, 11^th May. The draws for both knockouts will be made on Monday 16^th May.

HARRIS CUP (now 5 home-5 away) entries to date – 17:

St Georges, Hadley USC, SJ Bayley, Newport, Bowring, Wrockwardine Wood, Horsehay, Trench, Sinclair, Madeley CC, Allscott Heath, Worfield, Hadnall, St Georges (Prem), Newport (Prem), Wrockwardine Wood (Prem), Highley (Prem).

ASHTON CUP entries to date – 11:

Allscott Heath, St Georges, Wrockwardine Wood C, SJ Bayley, Madeley CC, Sinclair, Hadley USC, Newport, Trench, Bowring, Wrockwardine Wood D.

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

Progress on plans for the League’s 90th Anniversary Celebration Day – at St Georges on Saturday 4^th June – feature on the agenda for the May management meeting on Tuesday the 3rd .

Nearly half of the bowlers who will represent member clubs in the MSBL @ 90 Singles on the bottom green starting at 10.30am have been nominated – and  the full 32-strong field is set to be finalised at the meeting.

And that’s when plans for a fun challenge match on the big top green – starting at 1pm and open to ALL bowlers from across the League’s Friday and Monday divisions who are interested in being part of the special party day – will be revealed.

 Competition secretary will report on the Dixon Driscoll Doubles at the meeting (see post on Competitions) and stress that the deadline for entries in the Ashton Cup for Monday teams has been extended to Wednesday, 11^th May. But unless there are a minimum of 12 teams, there will NOT be a consolation KO for the Ashton Shield this season.

The Harris Cup entry deadline is also 11th May and Phil has 16 clubs in the hat to date, including first time entrants Hadnall.

Mid Shropshire has now officially entered 2 teams in this year’s Shropshire senior inter-league championship, with its 8-a-side knockout ties at neutral venues on Saturday nights.

And to reiterate, most clubs will NOT be providing food after matches this season – and those that will be are advised to contact their opponents in advance of fixtures to let them know. Clubs that have confirmed they will NOT be putting on good are:

Albrighton, Allscott Heath, Bowring, Bridgnorth, Bylet, Charlton, Donnington Wood, Edgmond, Horsehay, Newport, Shifnal, Sinclair, Worfield.

But Sir John Bayley (divs 1-2-5) , Madeley CC and Maddocks (Mondays) will be proving food.

The 2022 season is finally fully up and running – but not without an 11^th hour hiccup.

Wrockwardine Wood were forced to withdraw their B team from division 3 on the morning of the opening fixture, leaving Madeley CC B without a match and just 10 teams competing in the division

A WW spokesperson explained: “Since entering the team we have had further health issues / potential members not materialising as promised. This has put us into a very difficult situation and, despite trying to borrow from other teams, we can only muster 6 players tonight and likely to only have 7 in future weeks.”

On a more positive despite, despite fears that it may have to be postponed until later in the season, the Dixon Driscoll Doubles WILL go ahead on Saturday 30^th April at Allscott Heath (for details see Competitions News)

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.

Mid Shropshire hopes to field 2 teams in this year’s Shropshire senior inter-league championship, with its 8-a-side knockout ties at neutral venues on Saturday nights – and will host the veterans inter-league on Saturday 11^th June on the two greens at Wrockwardine Wood, with Peter Spragg as team captain

One club has been quick off the mark already nominated its bowler to take part in the 90th Anniversary Celebration singles KO at St Georges on Saturday 4^th June.

Each club is required to send a representative to play in the one-day party on the bottom green at St Georges, starting at 11am.  The competition will be a singles knockout with all current 25 member clubs represented – and those that have been lost in recent years requested to send a past member to represent them on what we hope will be a special day.

Plans for an event on the big top green, probably a challenge match for bowlers from all divisions across the League, will be progress at talks with St Georges BC next week.

And to reiterate, most clubs will NOT be providing food after matches this season – and those that will be are advised to contact their opponents in advance of fixtures to let them know. Clubs that have confirmed they will NOT be putting on good are:

Albrighton, Allscott Heath (on Mondays), Bowring, Bridgnorth, Bylet, Charlton, Donnington Wood, Edgmond, Horsehay, Newport, Shifnal, Sinclair, Worfield

Monday night action in divisions 4-5-6 started with 30 teams involved on opening night, but the 2022 campaign is not in full swing yet.

For the Easter weekend brings the Monday fixture schedule to an immediate halt next week, meaning the focus of attention will be on the re-launch of divisions 1-2-3 on Friday 22^nd April with 10-a-side matches.

But before then, bowlers and their clubs need to be on the ball in terms of competition entries for the 2022 season (see post under Competitions) – especially with regard to the Dixon Driscoll Doubles.

Entry forms for the comps that are set in stone this season and team knockouts are now available to download under Admin / Downloads of the website.

CLUBS THAT HAVE CONFIRMED THEY WILL NOT BE PUTTING ON POST-MATCH REFRESHEMNTS THIS SEASON ARE:

Albrighton

Bridgnorth

Bylet

Donnington Wood

Edgmond

Horsehay

Shifnal

Sinclair

Worfield