Bowlers ready for big money Burway final - bowls round-up

“It’s set to be a brilliant day - make sure you’re there!”

And with a good weather forecast, who could argue that tomorrow’s finals of the £6,600 Burway Open won’t deliver a feast of bowls at the Ludlow club from 2pm?

“After two fantastic weekends of qualifying, we’re down to the final 16 - all battling it out for the PML Burway Open Trophy and the £1,300 first prize,” added the club spokesman.

The line-up is packed with star quality featuring father and son Yorkshire stars Chris and Josh Mordue, former Burway hero Wayne Rogers, Sir John Bayley aces Josh Bradburn, Scott Harries, Dan Taylor and Ifton big gun Owen Jackson.

But the first round tie that takes the eye is the clash of Castlefields Champion of Champions winners Callum Wraight and Michael Beer , with country No.1 Wraight being in imperious form this year.

As for Ludlow League chief Phil Baker, he’s hoping for a final showdown between two of his clubmates.

“Good luck to those representing South Shropshire tomorrow - maybe we will get an all-Ludlow Castle final of Nathan Baker (I’m only slightly biased!) and Anthony Rogers,” he said.

Also tomorrow it is Under-18 Merit time in the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League at Donnington Wood, entry is free and are taken on the day up to the 10am start time.

British Ladies Club Championship

A British Ladies Club Championship without Wrockwardine Wood – seven-time winners since 2008 - is almost unthinkable.

But that is exactly what will happen tomorrow as Allscott Heath and Bowring will fly the flag for Shropshire in Barnsley after the demise of the Wrockites’ ladies bowls team.

“Wrockwardine Wood, as County Women’s Cup winners, should have been the Shropshire representatives again but, due to a lack of players, they have withdrawn from the Shrewsbury Ladies League,” explained Carol Faulkner. “Therefore the league winners, Allscott Heath, have taken their place.

“And this year there was an opportunity for a reserve team to go into the draw and Bowring, as runners up in the County Cup, came out of the draw.”

Faulkner will be part of the Bowring squad heading to Yorkshire to contest an eight-a-side round robin group with King George v, past winners New Mill B and Barrow on Dodworth MW No.2 green.

Allscott Heath are drawn with Castletown, Dearne Sports and Marown on Barnsley Central No.1 and the winners of the four groups will go on to contest the semi-finals.

Back in Shropshire, British Referees Society chief David Williams will lead an official measuring course at Adderley tomorrow from noon – and he will be back in the county to lead a rules seminar at Bowring BC in Wellington on Wednesday April 29, from 7pm.

Harris Cup

‘Open to all Shropshire-affiliated clubs’ is the message from a leading league regarding its top team knockout.

The Harris Cup has been run by the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League since 1950 and now features five home-five away ties on Wednesday nights leading to a Saturday night final on a neutral green.

Wem USC, Burway and 2022 winners Hadnall have all entered in recent years and the league’s competition secretary Rob Burroughs stressed: “Teams from outside the league can enter the Harris Cup by contacting me on 07901-229623, the deadline being Friday, May 15, with the draw to take place the following day.”

The league’s well-attended April executive meeting included an update on the numerous rule changes this season and how the league’s officers will deal with any disciplinary issues by stricter enforcement of its code of conduct.

Tanners Shropshire League

A new team poised for lift-off in the main Shrewsbury-based bowls league this week didn’t make the launchpad.

Atcham Malthouse B were the sole new side accepted into the Tuesday night Shrewsbury divisions run by the Tanners Shropshire League and should have given the bottom division 11 teams.

But a league spokesperson confirmed: “Atcham B have withdrawn from the Tanners Shrewsbury’s division four and their fixtures have now been replaced with a bye.”

Action in the main countywide Friday divisions started last week with Prince Hotel A beating visiting champions Castlefields A 11-3 and Crescent securing a fine 10-4 success as away at Unison.

This year is the centenary of the league but the search continues to fill two key roles.

“The league is still looking for someone to run the competitions this season and once a person has been appointed the dates and venues will be announced,” added the spokesperson.

“We are also seeking a development officer and for information on either positions please contact the league secretary by email ([email protected]).”