Farmer to miss big one

Shropshire's 'Mr Reliable' will miss the crucial Endsleigh British county championship showdown with title holders Greater Manchester, writes Malcolm Fletcher.

Peter Farmer, the four-time winner of the county Merit bowls crown, is unavailable for the crunch qualifying group tussle on Sunday, June 7.

The St Georges star's absence, and the dropping of Childs Ercall skipper John Breeze after his 21-10 away defeat in the season opening victory over the Potteries, means the selectors make two changes.

In come Adie Rowe of Meole Brace for the home leg at Shropshire's banker green, Pontesbury, while the in-form Martin Lloyd (Chester Road) gets the nod for the travelling 12 starters, with his clubmate and former Welsh star Kevin Jones reserve.

Callum Wraight and Paul Williams switch to the home team, making it eight Castlefields men at the Nags Head as Shropshire look for revenge over a side who pipped them by just nine chalks in last year's semi-finals.

And Greater Manchester will be feeling vulnerable after losing their first group game against Derbyshire.