Bowls round-up: County stars cooking up a storm in the Potteries

Five of them are in action on the artificial green at Biddulph in the second Thursday of matches in the £4,000 competition’s new ‘Champions League’ format.

Andy Armstrong (Ifton) and Sinclair’s Danny Williams clash to open the programme alongside Callum Wraight’s game with Josh Towey and Joe Dicken (Bylet) taking on Adam Coxon.

That session is followed by Williams meeting Dicken, Armstrong facing Darren Kerr, Wraight versus Neil Wright and Whitchurch League man Alex Hassall tackling Lee Dale.

Reigning champion Wraight (Castlefields) opened his defence with a strong showing in week one, beating Gary Owen 32-12 and then Armstrong 24-20.

Welsh star Armstrong had earlier defeated Adam Jackson 24-18 but Hassall lost 29-13 to Ant Lloyd and Williams drew 21 apiece with Coxon, denied by a two on the final 25th and powerplay end when chalks are worth double.

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Thursday night is the night the Tanners Shropshire Bowling League will try to set in stone its plan for the 2025 season.

Delegates at an executive meeting at Old Shrewsbury BC (7.30pm) will be asked to agree on a playing structure for the Shropshire divisions with its matches on Friday evenings.

“We'll be putting forward the pecking order and our intentions for going to three divisions (from two) on Fridays this season,” said league secretary Dawn Gray. “Unfortunately, Burway have reconsidered putting a side in on Fridays - but we're going to still have 31 teams, fingers crossed!”

A final decision will be ratified at the 2025 AGM on February 27 at the same venue after the league management delayed the executive meeting to give them more time to firm up their proposal.

“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,” added Gray.

BOWLS DIARY

£5,660 Coors Meole Brace Open – Champion of Champions qualifier with 256 places and £1,000 first prize. Qualifying on Saturday- Sunday, March 22-23 and 29-30 (10am and 2pm), finals day Sunday, April 6 at 11.30am. Entries £20 to Rob Burroughs on 07901-229623.

£4,000 Adderley Open – with £1,000 first prize if all 128 places go. Saturday night qualifiers start on March 15, finals night for the last 16 on Saturday, May 10 (5.30pm). Entry £25, book with Jack Hazeldine via Facebook.

£1,560 Burway Open - one-dayer on Saturday, April 19 with 64 places at £20. Qualifying at 10.30am and 2.30pm using both greens, winner to get £500 with a full entry, names to Jesse James (07791-244272).

£2,280 Dennis Lewis Open at Sir John Bayley - all on Saturday, April 27, from 10am with 64 entries using both greens. Last 16 on bottom green to play for £40 first prize, promoter Rob Burroughs (07901-229623).