Three Lions get in the way of crucial bowls clashes

England’s surge to the World Cup semi-finals tonight has forced an alteration to the three main bowls knockouts in Shropshire.

The quarter-finals of the County Cup, called off due to the football, were completed on Monday night when Wrockwardine Wood shocked record winners Castlefields by one shot with just five winners at Ludlow Castle, Steve Roberts their vital last winner at the death.

That means they join holders Sir John Bayley, Burway and Premier League newcomers Woore in the last four of the 12-a-side knockout, the Ludlow club ending the run of Mayhew Trophy winners Sinclair by eight chalks at Greenfields, where Kiah Roberts won 21-8 for Burway.

But Sinclair are still in the Shropshire Cup and will play Bridgewater in a delayed semi-final tie on Old Shrewsbury No.1 on a date yet to be set.

Awaiting the winners in the final are Newport, four shot victors over Horsehay at Monkmor thanks to last man Ian Whittington winning 21-6.

Tonight was also supposed to be semi-final time in the County Women’s Cup, but the football has won that battle too with the ties - Allscott Heath A v Bowring B and Sir John Bayley B v Bowring A – to be played within a calendar month ahead of a final set for Tuesday, August 18.

Junior initiatives

Junior initiatives by four Shropshire bowls clubs have won glowing praise from county development officer Pauline Wilson.

Craven Arms ran two school sessions with 20 youngsters and three Mid Shropshire clubs - Albrighton, Bridgnorth, and Edgmond - will be running Junior Bowls Clubs through the school summer holidays:

The Craven Arms sessions were supported by Wilson and fellow top class coach Brenda Slingo and will be followed up by an open day and social sessions for the rest of the season.

“It was a great initiative and it and the three Junior Clubs bodes well for the future of juniors in South Shropshire and Mid Shropshire,” said Wilson.

“Congratulations to the four clubs for not just bemoaning the situation but getting out there and doing something.

“Albrighton, Bridgnorth, and Edgmond will be offering five sessions with DBS checked and qualified coaches - so that means up to 60 children, almost all from non bowling families, will be introduced to bowls this summer.

“We often hear ‘there’s not enough juniors in the game’ but it (recruitment) can be done and these clubs have invested time, thought and energy into getting to those juniors.”