Bowls round-up: "A nightmare that is getting worse each year"

Dawn Gray is secretary and fixture secretary of the Tanners Shropshire League and her exasperation with finalising the divisional structures is growing annually, writes Malcolm Fletcher.

“We cancelled the executive meeting on Thursday and moved it to the February 6 as we've had a couple of issues and, with all the proposals being put forward, I needed more time to get everything in order to present to the executive,” said Gray. “We've got four entries (from new teams) and one withdrawal at the moment for Friday nights (in the Shropshire divisions).

“Tuesday nights (the Shrewsbury divisions) are a breeze and really sort themselves out, but organising the Friday nights correctly seems to be a nightmare every year now.”

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For what is believed to be the first time in its long history, there was a total ‘white out’ in the star-studded winter bowls league in Whitchurch.

All five fixtures due to have been played in the District Invitation Winter League last week were called off due to the snow and frost, leaving Chirk sitting pretty at the top of the table.

The Welsh border side, in only their second campaign in the four singles-two doubles league, are 11 points clear going into tonight’s crunch clash with second-in-the-table Crewe on District’s back green.

With the severe weather conditions having eased, Woore against Malpas Sports could be a tasty clash on Friday night while struggling Elephant & Castle face a double header with games against District tomorrow and Crewe on Monday.

The same frustration with the cold snap was suffered by Ifton Miners in the Bradley Winter League – despite it being played on the ‘all weather’ artificial green at the Wrexham club.

It was frozen solid and ruled unsafe so the reigning champions from the St Martins club have to wait until tomorrow to resume action against Bradley.

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A tried and tested formula is being used to grow another open mixed doubles bowls competition in Telford.

The Sir John Bayley Mixed Doubles, formerly limited to 16 pairs, is to follow in the footsteps of comps run in the town by Trench and St Georges.

Promoter Rob Burroughs explained: “I have changed the Bayley Mixed Doubles for this season to a 32 and allowed one home player per pair.

“This is much like the very successful Trench and St Georges doubles do, with qualifying sessions in the morning and afternoon and finals in the evening.

“I am also very thankful for sponsorship from MPH Plumbing and Heating Supplies for this competition, which will be played on Sunday, May 11, and all on the bottom green.”

Qualifying sessions start at 9.30am and 1pm, eight pairs will play in the finals and entries cost £20 to play for £400 first prize.

Burroughs (07901 229623) reports both the new £1,280 Bicton Open and £2,575 Edgmond Open are full and there are now very limited spaces left in the £1,560 Burway Open on Saturday, April 19, details from Jesse James (07791 244272).