Pictured: Tanners Shropshire League bowls winners

A ton full of memories, both recent and past, made for a special night at the Tanners Shropshire Bowling League’s centenary dinner.

The Shrewsbury-based league’s celebratory dinner and presentation evening at the town’s football club saw more than 150 people enjoying a memorable function.

And a league spokesperson reflected: “A massive thank you goes to everyone that came and made it such a fantastic evening - and Shrewsbury Town FC were brilliant hosts, serving 151 guests.

“It was such a proud way to celebrate 100 years of our league - roll on the next 100 years!”

Chairman and county president Andy Jones said nine clubs had launched the league in 1926 and thanked Tanners Wines for their sponsorship of 34 years, at the instigation of Steve Lloyd.

He was among the guests along with county deputy president Roger Candlin, who said the league should be proud of having been represented by four British Presidents in Harold Kaye, Dick Meryick, Doug Lawrence and Barry Jennings, before wishing it well for the next century.

Jones and secretary Dawn Gray then conducted the presentations with Gray declaring: “After 100 years it’s fantastic to have a new name on the (Friday) first division trophy so congratulations to first-time champions Ifton!”

Ade Humphreys of Ifton also topped the top flight averages and the other divisional and averages winners saluted were – Shropshire two: Pontesbury B, Ian Smith; three: Oxon, Keith Wall.

Shrewsbury div one: Castlefields, Keith Wall; two: Shelton A, Emmet McKinley; three: Albert Road Exiles, Scott Lane; four: Old Shrewsbury, Russell Lea.

The last finals of the league’s 2026 season were the Team Doubles with Prince of Wales Hotel winning the main title for the fourth year running, making a total of 12 wins since it was started in 1996 – but it was by just one shot against Crescent at Old Shrewsbury.

Indian summer

The curtain is poised to fall on the 2026 Shropshire ‘summer’ bowls season – but not quite yet.

There’s still a double helping of action tomorrow with the Bridgewater Open Pairs at the Whitchurch club the main attraction.

Promoter Richard Proudlove has worked hard to fill the one-day competition on its new date and a 9am start time means there is a reduced chance of a late night finish.

Big entry numbers for the first two winter one-dayers has the Bandit Bowls team hoping for more of the same tomorrow at Allscott Heath, start time for the round robin games leading to knockout ties being 9am, entries £15 and prizes paid on the day.

But before the action, Premier League new boys Sinclair will celebrate their promotion via the play-offs, Shropshire Cup and Mayhew Trophy triumphs and Mid Shropshire League honours at a presentation evening tonight at the Ketley club.