Shropshire Star

Bayley boys fall at second hurdle

A commanding opening win counted for nothing as Shropshire Premier League kings Sir John Bayley failed to make the finals of the World Club Championship.

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The Wellington champions flew out of the traps in their first qualifying tie at Fox Lane Sports & Social Club at Leyland, near Preston, and ended up beating Yorkshire's Brighouse Sports by 38 chalks. But, when they moved over to the bigger No.1 green on Sunday to take on Newdigate (North Midlands), they suffered a narrow five-shot defeat in the eight-a-side competition.

A No.2 green saturated by heavy and constant rain for a couple of days did not stop last year's skipper Spencer Clarke winning 21-9 to put the Bayley Boys in control against Brighouse.

Gordon Hawkins matched that score and, with Paul Reeves winning 21-13, the tie was settled even before last man Tom Roden went on.

"We knew it would be a tougher challenge in the second round against Newdigate, a team made up of county players from both North Midlands and Warwick & Worcester," said a Bayley spokesman.

But Chris Ward gave them a great start with a 21-10 card and Paul Evans had a run of five twos as he won 21-17 to leave the Bayley seven shots up at the halfway stage.

Bad starts for Hawkins, Roden and Gary Cooper were to prove costly though and, even though Reeves and Hawkins managed to win, Newdigate recovered to edge though to finals day back at Fox Lane on April 16.

Now it leaves Bayley's near-neighbours Bowring, the County Cup holders, to try and end Shropshire's wait for a first World title when they attempt to qualify for the last eight on Sunday, April 2.

Full scores – Sir John Bayley 138 Newdigate 143:

Chris Ward 21 Darren Plenderleith 10, Spencer Clarke 12 Dane Hopwood 21, Aaron Tapper 21 Josh Hale 20, Paul Evans 21 Jim Robertson 17.

Paul Reeves 21 Mitch Harvey 18, Gordon Hawkins 21 Jamie Dunn 15, Tom Roden 10 Pete Varney 21, Gary Cooper 11 Elliot McGuinness 21.

n Prize money in Shropshire's elite league may not be cut this season after all.

That was the fear for Premier League chiefs when Flowfit ended their sponsorship deal but, having found a new backer in Salop Leisure, the situation is clearer.

Treasurer Rob Burroughs will unveil his prize structure proposal at a league meeting tonight at Meole Brace BC (7.30pm).

Tonight's gathering will also include the draw for the Alan Mayhew Trophy, with relegated Hadley USC and Mid Shropshire champions Donnington Wood having accepted invitations to join the 14 member clubs in the hat.

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