Alex Jones is top talent in Shropshire bowls

But nobody would have dared to predict what he was about to achieve, writes sports blogger Robert Roden.

After 12 years in the Mid-Shropshire leagues, the 27-year-old capped his debut season in the top flight by becoming the second youngest averages winner in Premier League history.

Winning league averages is nothing new to Jones. He has previously won the Mid-Shropshire division two averages at Horsehay, but more recently division one at the Abbey. This triggered his move to Sir John Bayley to play amongst Shropshire's elite in the Premier League.

"I spent 12 years in the Mid-Shropshire leagues and after my recent success I thought it was about time to push on and make the move. I wanted to prove myself in the premier league," said Jones.

The laid-back and modest Jones is still waiting for everything to sink in and admitted it is all a bit surreal. "It's a bit weird to win the averages in my first year, I didn't expect it but it's been very good indeed.

"I don't like the praise too much but I did have a few easier games on paper, 15 of the 22 matches I won I thought I shouldn't be winning these games," he said in a joking manner.

"All my team mates were laughing around the green because in ten games I was always trailing by seven or eight chalks, not playing well, and suddenly found it in the last ten minutes of the games and ran-out.

"Throughout the season I felt pressure, that's why I had so many tight games. I could be 9-0 down in matches and couldn't get my head around it. With new surroundings and people it's hard to mix straight away so I was a bit anxious.

"I had great support from the lads; the captain Paul Evans tried to keep me away from everyone for the last six games which was nice, I didn't want him to do that, I was more concerned about the team doing well."

Evans, who led the Bayley side to fifth place last season, was not aware of who Jones was at the start of the campaign.

The Wellington based club were the most improved side in the 2012 Premier League, and Evans admitted that Jones was an instrumental figure in their success.

"I had no expectations at all because I didn't know Alex before this year, but a couple of the lads who knew him said he would have a reasonable season," said Evans.

"I put him straight into the side because when I joined the club four years ago, that was the treatment I was given so I wanted to give him the same opportunity I had.

"Everybody in the whole squad was surprised by how well he's done; I don't think anybody expected him to win the averages in his first year.

"He's been absolutely awesome; I think to step into the division and come to a new club and only lose two games all season is superb."

Jones, who started bowling at the age of 10 with his dad and brother at the Dun Cow, will face his toughest bowling challenge yet, trying to repeat his success next campaign. But this time around, his opposition will not be underestimating him, which may have been the case last season.

"It's going to be a lot harder next year because he's the league average winner and everybody has seen him play and they will know that he can play," the Bayley skipper added.

"There might have been occasions where he played people who don't know who he is and they've underestimated him. To win the averages back-to-back years is extremely difficult and everybody will be gunning for him.

"Alex believes he can play better next season, if he does he's going to be an incredible player but different players on different greens next year, it could be a different story. If all the tight games go against him next season he might only win half of his games".

Jones spent eight years at the Dun Cow before moving to Horsehay, where he had a six-year spell at the club, captaining the division two side and also winning the league averages.

However, the laid-back figure will face a much different encounter next season; with all the Premier players wanting to beat him, Jones knows he can perform even better next time around.

"I'm looking forward to next year as everyone is going to want to beat me," added Jones.

"I want to prove myself and play the best players. This season I've played in the middle four but I've asked Paul to play me in the front four next year, I want to play the likes of Andy Moss, Alan Davidson and Russell Pegram.

"I won the games this season but I haven't performed like I can do. I want to perform better next year, but a lot depends on who you're up against.

"You can play the likes of Moss and Davidson and play out of your skin and lose but likewise you can play rubbish and win easy against someone else," added Jones.

Before Jones signed for Bayley he was playing at the Abbey Bowling Club who had big hopes and expectations to make a push for the Premier League but it never materialised.

With players dropping out and joining other teams, including his good friend Tom Roden, who signed for the Bayley, Alex didn't want to leave the Abbey in the lurch so stayed on for another year. But, following the team's underachieving season, Roden finally persuaded Alex to join the Wellington club.

"I was happy at the Abbey and I was going to stay there but five out of our top six bowlers left" said Jones.

"The move was a no-brainer as I wanted to have a season in the premier league to see what it's all about. I joined the Bayley because of Tom as I didn't know many people in other teams. It's one of the best decisions I have made."

Sir John Bayley club have enjoyed a great season and are already planning ahead for next year. Rumours will commence about players coming and going but Jones believes they are just two players short of being title contenders next season.

"We've got great players with the likes of Spencer Clarke and Paul Evans, if we get two more consistent players we can compete to win the title.

"We had a few players who only played 10 games and won three and that's what had held us back; two more quality players and we'll definitely be up there.

"We only finished nine points behind second placed Meole Brace, and we believe we can be genuine title contenders."

With the season ended, there has been a lot of talk surrounding the senior County set-up next season, with the county side needing a shake-up next year.

Mick Jones from Newport is the only candidate standing for next season with three of the 'gang of four' stepping down including Dennis Lewis, John Nash and Bob Moss. Their successful spell in charge included winning the Crossfield Cup in 2009 with victory over Yorkshire.

Despite Jones winning the Premier averages and knocking on the selector's door the level-headed youngster said: "I don't want to play next year for Shropshire."

"If I get asked I don't think it's right. I've only had one year and other people have being playing consistently year after year winning 16 games, I want to establish myself for another year at least."

The Bayley ace next season will be hoping to become only the second player in Premier League history to win the averages in back-to-back years. Andy Moss of Chester Road holds the record for his triumphs in 2010-2011.

With Jones making the jump from Mid-Shropshire to Premier League look all too easy, the hottest young talent has become the next big thing as so many people predicted.