Wright staying positive after being dropped

Wem USC ace Derek Wright is one of an elite band to have won more than 100 county senior team caps.

But, having been told his services are not required for the W&W match on Sunday, May 7, the 58-year-old responded by qualifying for the finals day of the richest competition in Wales.

Wright got through to the last 16 of the Colwyn Bay Open with three wins, one of them 21-20 after trailing 18-12, and will fancy his chances of landing the £1,000 first prize when he returns to take his place in the last 16 on Monday, May 1.

It was a title and jackpot prize won last year by St Georges bowler Lewis Scott and, although hugely disappointed to have been left out of the Shropshire team again, Wright is determined to accentuate the positives.

"I suppose Paul Williams (the other bowler dropped from county duty) and I have paid for last year's final defeat against Yorkshire," said Wright.

"But from a positive point of view, it has given me four or five free weekends during the season.

"I have played bowls for a long, long time and I think I still have a few good years ahead of me."

The double County Merit winner of 1979 and 1994 proved that by qualifying at Colwyn Bay and, having started playing the game at the age of just six, has experience to burn.

He knows the green at Colwyn, having won a major title there in 1989, three years before becoming the first Salopian to win the Isle of Man September Festival and then the British Parks Merit in 1994 among many other titles.

And he won't give up on winning more Shropshire caps just yet either.

While Wright has time to reflect on his immediate future, there's plenty of action in the county this weekend for bowls fans to enjoy.

Today sees the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League's Mixed Doubles at Donnington Wood, but the highlight undoubtedly comes tomorrow in Shrewsbury from 9.30am.

That's when Severnside and Old Shrewsbury host the British Ladies Club Championships with current county champions Meole Brace, Wrockwardine Wood and Broseley flying the flag for Shropshire. But all three will need to be at their best to progress in the eight-a-side competition.

For Meole open with a match against 2010 title winners Wharton Cons in their round robin group on Severnside No.2 before then taking on New Mills, the champions for the last three years, and finishing with a clash against Pensby.

Wrockwardine Wood, winners of the coveted British club crown in 2008 and 2013, face past winners Haunchwood, Hoylake & Melrose and Port St Mary in their group on Severnside No.3.

And just over the hedge at Old Shrewsbury, Broseley must overcome double past winner St Oswalds, Dunlop and Baldwin on the No.1 green if they are win their group and make the semi-finals.

While British glory is at stake there, Market Drayton club Victoria host the SPS Whitchurch League's Under-21 Merit with an 11am start time. Also tomorrow the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League look to Craven Arms to stage their Merit for the John Coxill Trophy with a 10am start and entries taken on the day.

"Any registered player with one of our member clubs, or those who are a member at Donnington Wood and Hadley USC, are allowed to enter the competition," said a Premier spokesman.

"It costs £6 to enter and there is £200 from the league and £50 from sponsors No Bull Apparel, as well as all the entry money, to be paid out."