Clubs vote against revolutionary Premier League rule changes

Clubs in Shropshire’s top bowls league are not for changing.

A revolutionary proposal to recruit two new teams and effectively split the Taylor Support Premier League into two sections of eight sides was put before Tuesday’s meeting at Meole Brace BC.

League chairman Rob Burroughs said the idea represented “maybe the biggest change in the league’s history” – but the 12 clubs represented at the meeting were having none of it.

“The general consensus was that change is not currently needed,” explained Burroughs. “However, clubs are able to put forward their own proposals if needed by Tuesday, December 22.”

But big changes might be looming with the Mayhew Trophy set to be played at the end of the season, replacing the Pool A & B knockouts, and the Inter Area competition to be rested for at least a season.

Mid Shropshire League

Three more great servants of crown green bowling are still basking in the glow of being awarded life memberships by a Shropshire league.

The Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League honoured former chairman Sean Round, Bylet stalwart Pete Driver and its unofficial archives and records maestro Phil Owen at its October meeting.

Round, a member of Bowring for 40 years, served as league chairman for 14 years, guiding it through Covid and over-seeing many positive developments.

Driver joined the Bridgnorth-based club in 1990 and, with Kath by his side, is now regarded as Mr Bylet, while Owen started bowling in the league at the age of 14 in 1962 with the long gone Madeley Miners before eventually have a long and fine career with Sir John Bayley.

Before the life membership ceremony, delegates agreed a prize money proposal to be paid out at the presentation dinner on Saturday, November 21, at The Shropshire, with the 2027 AGM set for Tuesday, January 26 at the Bayley Club.

The league’s sub group will meet next week to look at rule change ideas and the code of conduct to be discussed at the November executive gathering.