Now girls get the chance to play for Pride

Shropshire's junior boys will get a helping hand when they open their Drakes Pride bowls championship campaign next month - from the girls.

A rule change over the winter means girls are now allowed to play in the once male-only under-18 national championship.

And Shropshire's selectors have reacted by naming three - Jade Jones (Telepost), Cheryl Caswell (Bylet) and Holly Bishton (Bowring) - for their qualifying group two clash with Lancashire on May 11.

All three are past winners of the British Ladies Junior Merit, but all three are also members of the Shropshire Ladies squad. And that could lead to a clash of interest when Shropshire juniors play their second game on June 8 against Greater Manchester, as Shropshire Ladies play North Warwickshire on the same day.

Dennis Lewis, spokesman for Shropshire's junior selectors, said: "The three girls are All England winners and have been picked because they will strengthen the side.

"We have lost another seven players who are now over 18 and picking these experienced girls helps balance that out.

"When it comes to the clash of dates the girls will have to decide who they want to play for."