Bowls round-up: Miners bidding to close in on winter title
Ifton Miners aim to take a giant stride towards retaining the championship of the Wrexham-based Bradley Winter League on Wednesday night, writes Malcolm Fletcher.
The bowlers of the St Martins club take on lowly Arctic Knights in the four singles-two doubles format sitting in third place but knowing a big points this evening haul would put them in pole position.
But top two Gladstone and a Flying Pierres side that has fielded Premier League stars Callum Wraight and Andy Armstrong this winter won’t go down without a fight on the artificial green.
Meanwhile, host club team the Avengers climbed to the top of the new Allscott Heath Winter League with a maximum points haul against the Buccaneers on Monday thanks to wins by Gary Cartwright, Peter Farmer, Chris Hayward and Chris Taylor.
They can, however, expect to be overtaken on Thursday when title rivals Shifnal and Wrockwardine Wood are in action, against Trench and bottom-of-the-table Atcham respectively in four singles fixtures.
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Shropshire clubs are being urged to join in the 'big' push to grow the sport of crown green bowls.
The aim to sign up the majority of clubs for Bowls’ Big Weekend in May is the goal of the sport’s rejuvenated governing body, the British Crown Green Bowling Association.
“Taking place between Friday and Monday, May 23-26, the weekend sees all codes of bowls come together to promote our sports on a British level, ”said an association spokesman. “The initiative sees hundreds of Open Days and taster sessions across the country - and it's a great way for clubs showcase themselves to their local communities.”
“Let's make Bowls' Big Weekend 2025 the biggest one yet!”
To get involved, clubs must register and will receive a full marketing pack in early April to help you promote their events.
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A much-missed legend of a Telford bowling club is set to be honoured in a fitting way this year.
Norman Harvey, who served the Sir John Bayley Club with such distinction before his passing in December, is to be remembered with a new competition.
A spokesperson for the Bayley’s senior bowls section said: “We will be organising a number of in-house senior competitions through the year, including a special one in memory of the late Norman Harvey.
“He was a renowned and well known bowler, recent seniors chairman, a great friend and mentor to many.”
The Bayley will run four teams in the six-a-side Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League for men and women over 60 on Wednesday afternoons in 2025.
