'People are quick enough to say the game is dying' - frustrated bowls promoter bemoans drop-outs

Promoter Nathan Lacey is far from happy, despite the last qualifier being done and the finals night line-up for Saturday’s Beryl Taylor Memorial Open at Shifnal being completed.

Big guns Scott Harries, Clay Flattley, Dan Taylor and Phil Clinton came through the final session to make the last 16 for a competition only in its second year.

“It’s safe to say I’ve had struggles with running it - from drop-outs on finals day last year, to having 30 spaces available three weeks before the 2026 comp starts,” said a frustrated Lacey. “No-one sees the background work that goes on from not just myself, but a lot of other people that help the competition run.

“This year has been a lot worse than last - I’ve had five drop-outs on the day for a qualifier; people play then once been beaten they’ve left and not paid; I’ve had people see fields and pull out straight away.

“People are quick enough to say the game is dying and that there’s a lack of effort put into bowls from organisers and so on.

“But what people don’t see is that when someone does put effort in, and they get let down time after time after time, then it gets more frustrating than what it’s worth.”

British Super Cup

Three Shropshire bowls clubs have bit the dust in the British Super Cup.

Highley, County Cup finalists last year, fell at the first hurdle, beaten in both legs of the four home-four away 31-up knockout by M & B Cheslyn Hay by 37 shots overall, despite Dave East winning 31-14 away.

Meole Brace won away at Penn in their last 32 tie by one shot with Doug Edwards and Julian Cooke starring, but they lost by 16 at home where Martin Gaut won 31-16 for the Staffordshire club.

At the same stage, this year’s cup kings Sinclair gifted Greville a place in the last 16 by conceding their home leg after Peter Farmer had won 31-23 away in a 40 chalk setback.

Shropshire Cup

Bridgewater are riding the crest of a wave in the Shropshire Cup.

The Whitchurch club’s bowlers defeated past winners Castlefields in style to reach the semi-finals of the 10-a-side knockout for non-Premier players.

Mathew Lucas (21-5) was the best of their eight winners on Bowring No.2 in a 56 chalk win while on the Wellington club’s No.1 green, favourites Sinclair saw off Shifnal by 42 with Jordon Millman a 21-7 leader of the pack.

Closest quarter-final tie on a hot night was Horsehay’s eight chalk margin against Trench at Albrighton, where Gareth Jones tipped the scales with a 21-2 card, while fellow Mid Shropshire Leaguers Newport were handed a walkover by Greenfields.

British Senior County Championship

Wrockwardine Wood team-mates swap places in the only change made by Shropshire’s selectors for Sunday’s British Senior County Championship clash with North Lancs & Fylde.

Chris Grocott comes into the 24 to play in the final qualifying section three game as Josh Cotton drops onto for reserve as Salop look to make it three straight group wins to go through to the semi-finals in August.

Shrewsbury club Greenfields will host the home leg on their No.2 green – County Handicap winner Matt Beeston being named on reserve there – while the away squad head to Frenchwood in Preston.

North Lancs & Fylde are without a win this season and last won a county match back in July 2023.