Split in two? Big changes to be discussed for the Shropshire Premier League

A potential new and revolutionary approach to the way Shropshire’s top bowls league operates will be discussed tonight.

Recruiting two new teams and effectively splitting the league into two will be debated at the Taylor Support Premier’s gathering for its 14 current clubs at Meole Brace BC (7.30pm).

And one of the bowlers behind the proposal is Rob Roden, son of the late Peter Roden, who was one the main instigators of the Premier League ahead of its launch in 1994.

League chairman Rob Burroughs said: “I look forward to having some constructive comments and exploring maybe the biggest change in the league’s history.

“It’s a new league structure proposal created by Liam Stevens and Rob Roden (who both play for Wrockwardine Wood), with assistance by me and Martin Gaut (league secretary).”

In a nutshell, the proposal is to invite two new clubs into the league, reduce teams to 10-a-side from 12 so clubs can field stronger teams and return to just two points for an aggregate win as away wins are more common now.

Then the 16 teams would be split into a top eight and bottom eight and play each other home and away for 14 fixtures, with seven more in each section played on neutral greens to produce the main league champions and the Challenger champions.

The proposal states: “The league was set up in 1994 with the express intention of improving the standard of bowls in Shropshire and there is a perception amongst some members that competitive balance within the league has become increasingly uneven, with a widening gap between the strongest and weakest teams.

“The number of players required to fulfil all fixtures has increased to a historical maximum of 326 in 2026 – one explanation for this is an increasing difficulty for teams to field a consistent team and having to draft in people to fulfil a side.”

Tonight’s meeting will also seek a nomination to serve as County Deputy President next year.

North Shropshire Veterans

Prize money of £3,000 will be dished out tomorrow to honours winners in the two leagues run by the North Shropshire Veterans bowls association.

They will celebrate at the presentation lunch for the Barlows Whitchurch Over-60 and Market Drayton Senior Citizens leagues at Whitchurch Rugby Club (12.30pm).

“Around £3,000 is being distributed as prizes at the lunch with nearly 100 attendees – and Adderley the top club again,” said association secretary-treasurer Simon Fullard.

Adderley won the first divisions of both afternoon leagues and dominated the averages too to retain most of the silverware.

Final preparations for the luncheon were made at the association’s end of season executive meeting last week at Tilstock BC when there was plenty of good news looking ahead to the 2027 season.

Fullard explained: “There are possibly three clubs applying for places in leagues next year – there are currently 42 teams of eight in the Barlows and 28 teams of eight in the Drayton – and applications need to be sent in by January 31 for new clubs.

“Proposed rule changes should be sent in by November 30 and a discussion was held about start times in hot weather conditions.”