Tough start to the season for North Shropshire - bowls round-up

Losing at home and away was not the start North Shropshire had bargained for in this year’s British Parks Senior County Championship.

In danger of pulling out until Tim Jordan stepped in to pick the teams, hopes were high that North Shropshire could build on some promising results since Covid intervened.

But qualifying section two rivals East Midlands had other ideas on Sunday, making a strong finish on the difficult Newport No.2 green to win there by one shot (211-210).

And the Whitchurch-based body’s bowlers struggled in the 12-a-side leg at Winshill in Burton as only Hayden Lewis (21-16), Martin Lloyd (21-18) and George Williams (21-19) managed to win in a 61-chalk setback.

Michael Cooper (21-8) and Andrew Foster (21-11) were best at home but defeat by 62 shots overall and 23-10 on points means North Shropshire have a mountain to climb when they take on South Yorkshire on June 21.

Bank Holiday bowls

Two Shropshire titles are up for grabs over the Bank Holiday weekend as the local bowls scene heats up – just like the weather!

The County Mixed Pairs for the Dave Card Rosebowl is tomorrow at Tilstock from 10am with entries costing £25 taken on the day at the village club.

One ticket to the British finals on October 3 is guaranteed by nine pairings having been received in advance.

But it’s Monday’s County Handicap that will have players from all levels heading to the greens at Old Shrewsbury and Prince of Wales BC, again with a 10am start time and entries (£10) taken on the day by organiser Mike Potter and his team.

Prize money is dependent on numbers and winning this title last year set Ash Wellings up for a great season as the Castlefields man went on to be crowned Champion of Champions.

The Oswestry League have their 4-5-6 Singles at Corwen tomorrow when some local stars will be in action at the Penn Open finals and the Big Smash promotion in the Barrow area.

And rather than play kin the County Handicap, Sir John Bayley pair Reece Farr and Nick Wyer will head to the Wirral on Monday to play in the one-day Tixall Classic, the 64-strong field including the likes of Matt Gilmore and Danny Barwise.

Shropshire Cup

Johnstown’s debut in the Shropshire Cup could not have gone much better.

The Oswestry Bowling League big guns swept aside Bridgnorth in their 10-a-side tie at the Prince Hotel in Shrewsbury to power into the last 16.

Trevor Roberts won 21-3 as Johnstown dropped only 10 chalks in a 200-139 romp, with Meole Brace, Wrockwardine Wood, Bridgewater and Newport also successful on Wednesday night.

But it was close for the Wrockites who only had six shots to spare against Hodnet on Greenfields No.2 as Louise Cotton’s 21-5 card proved vital.