Bowls round-up: Raiders close in on winter championship

The Welsh border raiders take on host club in the District Invitation Winter League at 7pm knowing that, armed with a staggering 13-point lead at the top of the table, another big win would see them virtually home and dry.

Chirk built on their already commanding position by beating main title rivals Crewe 8-2 (111-96 on aggregate) last week with Andy Armstrong going top of the singles averages thanks to a 21-19 win.

Malpas Sports took the chance to climb to second by hammering Woore 9-1 (124-95) while Bridgewater saw off luckless Calverhall 10-0 (126-69).

This week’s fixtures continue tomorrow with Bridgewater against last winter’s champions Archibald Worthington - and then it’s Adderley versus Woore on Thursday and Malpas against Calverhall on Friday evening.

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Moves to clarify the potential route for clubs to play in Shropshire’s elite bowling league will be a key talking point a meeting tonight.

A proposal to tighten up the eligibility rules for the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier League play-offs will be voted on at its AGM at Meole Brace BC (7.30pm).

League chairman Rob Burroughs said new rule, if approved, would mean that any club wishing to participate in a play-off must nominate the league they are applying from, having already won it.

“Players must have played six league games in that league for the club on the same primary fixture night in the league they have nominated. These players must have not played in any Premier League game that season,” he added. “Premier League clubs can select players who have played six Premier League games or played six other league games on a Friday night, or a combination of both (for that club.” 

The proposal comes in the wake of the 2024 play-off final that Burroughs described as “one of the best, if not best, performances and upsets the league has seen” as Horsehay beat double champions Woore to survive among the elite 14.

“I am sure Woore will be back at the end of the coming season again, but the Mid Shropshire League could have something to say with some quality teams in that league this year,” he said. “In fact, 2024 was potentially our most exciting year yet thanks to the closest ever finish in the league (Castlefields piped Sir John Bayley on aggregate) and being our 30th anniversary season.”

 A number of other rule change proposals are on tonight’s agenda for a meeting that will end with the traditional setting of the 2025 fixtures.

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Four Shropshire Premier League clubs have their annual meetings in the next week.

The mini surge starts tonight as the bowlers of Wem USC and Adderley hold their AGMs, both starting at 7.30.

Champions Castlefields follow on Sunday at 7pm in the Community Centre, while at 7.30pm on the same night it’s the turn of Hanmer to make plans for 2025.