Bowls round-up: League facing a numbers conundrum

How to deliver an acceptable structure on Friday nights with three new teams applying led to an inconclusive executive meeting and continuing headache for league chiefs.

“I'd like to say we have a clearer path now, but that simply wouldn't be true,” admitted secretary and fixture secretary Dawn Gray. “The main headache is still the Friday night league structure – we have three new teams (Monmoor, Ludlow Castle and Chirk B) and one withdrawal (Greenfields B) – so we are left with 31 teams.

“Not wanting to refuse any teams, we presented the possibility of going up to three divisions (of 11,10 and 10 teams), but obviously that would mean a later start to the season and fewer league matches.

“We could have two divisions (of 16 and 15 sides) but then we would need to start early April and finish late September and introduce Wednesday night fixtures.

“Knowing what to do for the good of the league is rather tricky.

“Teams still have until March 1 to withdraw, so a decision on league structure is on hold at the moment.”

And that could make for a continuing headache at the league’s AGM on Thursday, February 27, at Old Shrewsbury BC, which will be preceded at 7pm by an EGM on voting rule change proposals.

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It’s title decider time in Shropshire’s leading winter bowling league on Thursday night. 

Hot favourites Chirk, 14 points clear in the Whitchurch-based District Invitation league, take on second-placed Malpas Sports knowing that any kind of win would make them home and dry.

The Welsh border side took total command by dismissing bottom-of-the-table Calverhall 10-0 (126-39 on aggregate) last week with four single-figure wins from the four singles and two doubles clashes.

Malpas had a good win over Crewe 8-2 (112-106) with Carl Hinton a 21-10 winner – and deposed champions Archibald Worthington matched that scoreline against Elephant & Castle with former county senior stars Alan Purcell & Mark Holland 21-6 doubles winners in a 114-91 chalksreturn.

Crewe face Bridgewater on Tuesday night, Elephant & Castle tackle Woore on Wednesday and Archibald Worthington, with a game in hand, take on District on Friday before Chirk play again on the back green on Monday versus Elephant &Castle.

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One administrative body running two bowls leagues means Tuesday's AGM of the North Shropshire veterans association is far from straightforward. 

Delegates of clubs in the Barlows Whitchurch Over-60s and Market Drayton Senior Citizens leagues gather at Tilstock BC at 2pm with accommodating new teams the top priority.

“Currently Victoria have applied to rejoin the Barlows league, Wem USC the Market Drayton Seniors league and Wem Albion have intimated that they wish to put a team into the Drayton and will hopefully confirm at the AGM,” said association secretary-treasurer Simon Fullard. “This means the Barlows league would have a composition of three divisions of 14 teams and Market Drayton 27 or 28 teams in total.

“So the main item to be discussed at the AGM is the number of divisions in the Market Drayton league – and it’s basically up to the clubs to decide.”

Fixture secretary Mike Beckett has given them three options which would give Drayton’s senior bowlers either two big divisions or three smaller ones with the doubles knockout played on Wednesday afternoons instead of a league fixture.

So it will all come down to a vote and Fullard stressed: “If voting is for a particular league, only member clubs from that league are eligible to vote.”

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The open competitions keep coming thick and fast at the club with the bowling green voted the best in Shropshire.

Edgmond have taken the wraps of their Summer Open, a singles competition for 32 entries on Saturday, May 24.

It’s £20 to enter to play for a £250 first prize (names to Sarah Glenholmes on 07792-428685) and follows on from the already full £2,575 Edgmond Open which has its finals day on Saturday, April 5.

Meanwhile, local bowlers have been warned not to miss out on the £3,300 Gresford Open this summer which is filling fast – details from Tommy Lowndes – and Jack Hazeldine, promoter of the new Adderley Open, reports he has less than 30 places to fill.

Bowls diary

£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, winner to get £500 with a full entry. Vacancy details from 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 is Rob Burroughs (07901-229623).