Jennings backs big final venue

The first chairman of Shropshire bowls has backed Norton-in-Hales to put on a top class County Cup final between Castlefields and Chester Road tomorrow night (6.30).

And Barry Jennings hit back at Castlefields claims that the village club near Market Drayton was not a true neutral venue as it was in North Shropshire.

"Anyone who thinks Isobel Jones (county president), after all the work she has done over the years, would be biased in something like this should hang their head in shame.

"The venue for the final was selected by five of the six members of the County Cup committee - and not just by Isobel," explained Shrewsbury-based Jennings.

"And at the start of the season everyone had the chance to serve on that committee."

As for criticism of Norton-in-Hales, Jennings feels that is bang out of order too.

"Criticising somewhere before people have even been there is totally out of order.

"In 2003 they staged the County Merit finals, which I consider to be one of the best I have seen - both playing-wise and from an organisational point of view."