League celebrates its centenary with a special competition

It wasn’t just a special Centenary Dinner that meant the Tanners Shropshire Bowling League’s 100th season ended on a huge high.

Just before the celebratory evening, the Shrewsbury-based league held a Centenary Doubles at Old Shrewsbury and all but one of its 32 teams was represented by a pairing.

“The winners were Emmet McKinley and Dan Powell of Oxon, who beat Monkmoor pair Perry Evans and Keith Wall 21-18 in the final,” said a league spokesperson.

“A consolation competition was also held for first round losers and this was won by Hadnall’s Dawn Gray (league secretary) and Elaine Jones, as they beat Peter Smith and Peter Warhurst 21-16.

“The President and Deputy President of the Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association (Andy Jones – who is also league chairman - and Roger Candlin) also participated.”

Allscott Heath Winter League

Two of the early pacesetters in the Allscott Heath Winter League put their unbeaten records on the line tonight.

Shifnal, unbeaten champions of the first two campaigns on the artificial green, and a powerful Wrockwardine Wood squad both have four-a-side singles fixtures at the Telford village club.

A 21-1 win by Andy Judson helped Shifnal pull 13 points clear at the top with a maximum 20 point haul against Silkmore Supreme on Monday evening.

But league newcomers Prince Hotel, featuring 15-year-old Shropshire Champion of Champions Ellis Griffiths, are also unbeaten after their first three games and take on Islanders on Friday night.

Shropshire Premier League

Boosting prize money in Shropshire’s elite bowling league back to 2024 levels is going to cost the 14 member clubs.

A proposal for affiliation fees to go up to £100 per team from £75 to help increase the prize pot was discussed at the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier League’s end of season meeting and will be voted on at next year’s AGM.

And while the 12 clubs represented at Meole Brace BC were against major structural change to split the league into two section of eight sides, their delegates do want to see some alterations.

They include resting the Inter Area competition for at least a season and playing the Mayhew Trophy at the end of the season in place of the unpopular Pool A & B knockouts.

The 2027 fixtures will start on Friday, April 2, and finish on Friday, September 17, with the Mike Hinton Pairs preceding on Saturday, March 27, and Merit finals night set for Friday, September 24.

Bandit Bowls

Heavy rain didn’t deter 22 hardy souls from contesting the Bandit Bowls one-day competition at Wem Sports.

And the wet conditions didn’t stop Joe Dicken (Sir John Bayley) from sweeping to the top cash prize for a welcome change of fortune after he lost in three one-dayer finals last winter.

“We had a very wet Saturday but they keep turning up to bowl,” said BB chief Jamie Brookes.

“Joe Dicken won the final 21-19 against Dan Corbett (St Georges) and this coming weekend the one-dayer is at Norton in Hales.”

Brookes himself lost 21-18 to Corbett in the semi-finals while Dicken was easing past Nigel Ferrington 21-10.