Bowls round-up: Bandit record cannot be matched
He has a record that can’t be matched in this winter’s Bandit Bowls one-day competitions and it’s getting better virtually every week, writes Malcolm Fletcher.
Sir John Bayley star Scott Harries has enjoyed a stunning run in the Saturday events since the turn of the year – and it continued at Childs Ercall at the weekend.
The county senior team regular came out on top of 24 entries on a damp day by beating the in-form Danny Williams (Sinclair) 21-19 in the final as a £168 prize fund was paid out.
It was the third one-day triumph for Harries since the start of 2025, in addition to which he has been runner-up twice and a semi-finalist on February 1.
His semi-final scalp was Woore’s Cedric Bancroft 21-15 while Williams beat his fellow Potteries Panel competitor Joe Dicken (Bylet) 21-13.
Quarter-final scores – Bancroft 21 Dave James 10; Harries 21 Emmet McKinley 14; Dicken 21 Michael Cooper 9; Williams 21 Liz Ruscoe 10.
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Still unbeaten and almost there in their bid to retain the championship – that’s Ifton in the Wrexham-based winter bowling league.
The Miners of St Martins won their crunch clash in the Bradley Winter League against arch rivals Flying Pierrres last week and now have a decent safety cushion with just three games to play.
Clay Flattley was a 21-14 singles star on the artificial green while Shrewsburyr-based Keith Wall teamed up with Mark Ball to win one of the two doubles clashes 21-8 as Ifton won the aggregate spoils 118-95.
They take on lowly Rhosddu on Thursday aiming to make it 20 games unbeaten this campaign and with Joey Williams hoping to move closer to the singles averages crown after 17 wins from 19 games to date.
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Two Telford bowls clubs have launched appeals for new recruits to keep teams going in the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League.
Madeley Cricket Club BC and Wrockwardine Wood are both eager to make new signings to ensure the futures of the sides on Friday nights, in divisions three and two respectively.
Wrockites official Tim Willis-Cotton said: “Wrockwardine Wood are hoping to maintain our third team in division two but unfortunately we are a few players short.
“Anyone interested in joining please get in touch – it’s a good chance to learn fantasy island (the club’s No.2 green) if nothing else!”
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).
