Hope springs eternal for new-look bowls juniors

Teams showing no fewer than seven changes to the 24 who lost in last season's semi-final against Yorkshire have been picked by the county's under-18 selectors for this year's opener.

With the likes of past stars Aaron King, Curtis Metcalfe and Monique Higgs now too old, the result is debuts and recalls aplenty from a new-look and youthful squad with plenty of hope, if not experience.

Another change of approach sees the home leg switched to Shrewsbury with Severnside No.1 selected for the qualifying group three match on Sunday, May 14 (2pm), while the away party head for Bucknall Private in Stoke.

A coach to the away leg will pick up from Wellington's Sir John Bayley Club at 10.30am and Prees BC at 11.15 (book seats with Phil Scott on 01829 250365), but revising for exams means one of the away reserves, Luke Grocott, has already withdrawn.

Teams picked (in playing order):

At Severnside No.1: Toby Foxall, Matt Parry, Rhys Marshall, Kelly Price, Kieran Jones, George Cooper, Harry Parsonage, Matt Beck, Charlie Hotchkiss, Lorna Parsons, Camilla Parsonage, Liam Dovey.

At Bucknall Private: Harry Church, Joe Killen, Russell Crocker, Susie Lawson, Emma Massey-Jones, Tom Killen, Edward Proudlove, Liam Edwards, Josh Warner, Jacob Holden, Jake Bailey, Louis Moult.

New Shropshire competition chief Mike Potter is hoping to be flooded with entries for the County Merit this week.

The closing date is Saturday and Potter, who was an 11th hour volunteer to succeed Phil Scott in the post, had very few names in the book at the weekend.

Four-time winner of the Shropshire association's most prestigious title, Peter Farmer of Newport, was among the handful of early entries he had received.

But unless there is a surge of interest this week, it looks like being one of the lowest entry figures on record – and that could cut the number of county qualifying places in next year's British Senior Merit. So Potter urged: "Can everyone make sure their clubs send their entries in to me as we don't want disappointed players who missed the deadline date."

Car parking problems of a member club will be highlighted at tonight's meeting of the Moslon Coors Mid Shropshire League.

Bowlers visiting Newport for fixtures have been able to use the car park facilities of neighbouring Newport Cricket Club – but that is no longer possible on Friday nights, which is junior cricket coaching evening.

"We believe that the reason is likely to be a health and safety issue, either relating to the volume of vehicles using the drive, or due to possible access problems for any emergency vehicle," said Newport BC's playing secretary Steve Anyon.

"We are not certain about this. However, if this is the case, then the restriction is likely to end at some time in July.

"It is recommended that parking takes place on Audley Avenue, i.e. past the turning into the cricket club car park."

Delegates at tonight's meeting at Wellington's Bayley Club (7.30pm) will also consider the problem of a first division fixture between promoted Sir John Bayley A and reigning champions Donnington Wood scheduled for April 21 but not played.

All clubs in the PMC Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League are reminded to get their entry forms for the Merit, Doubles and Over-75s singles to competition secretary Nick Stacey by tomorrow.

Premier League round-up in tomorrow's Star