Crowther to miss Burway v Hanwood match

Burway will have to cope without player of the year Roy Crowther when they face Hanwood tonight for a place in the Furrows Shropshire Premier Bowls League play-off with Bylet, writes CHRIS HUDSON.

Crowther topped the Tanners Shropshire League averages as the Ludlow club cruised to the title.

But he is away for this evening's crunch pre play-off final at Donnington Wood (7pm) - though skipper Duncan Pressley is adamant that they can cope without him.

"It's a shame he can't play and he's a very good player but the lads coming in are quite capable of doing a good job," he said.

"We've got people like Simon Parsonage with county experience and Kiah Roberts who has county experience with the juniors."

Burway and Hanwood went head-to-head in last year's Consolation Cup final, Wem League champions Hanwood coming out on top.

But Hanwood spokesman Phil Talbot refers to the gap between the two sides in the Tanners League this season as a pointer to the task facing his side tonight.

"Our Tanners side finished almost 50 points behind them and that's a considerable gap," said Talbot. "They probably thought they'd beat us in the cup final last year.

"But anyone sensible would say they have to be the favourites and we know that."

l The winners tonight will face Bylet on Thursday for a place in next year's premier league.

If Burway win this evening, the play-off will be staged at Meole Brace. The venue in the event of Hanwood going through is still to be confirmed.