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The League held its October meeting last week and the main items discussed were as follows:-

Treasurer’s Report - The Treasurer advised that the League lost £36 this year and would have been nearly £400 but for the fact that the Top 16 competition was not held. The current sponsor was paying £500 and the meeting discussed the possibility that this figure should be increased given the stature of the league John Nash advised that he had a few “irons” in the fire and was hopeful of generating some extra sponsors.

Date for Top 16 Competition (early 2010) - The date of Sunday 28^th March 2010 was set for the competition and the Secretary advised all clubs that this clashed with one of the four qualifying sessions of the Meole Brace Open and that their club representative should be advised to avoid this date if they wanted to enter the competition.

The players for each club are as follows with Peter Farmer (Merit Winner) and Mick Jones ( Most Consecutive wins) making the field up to 16:-

Review of 2009 League/Individual Competitions - The Mike Hinton Pairs only attracted 13 pairs this season, a decrease by eight on the previous season. The Trophy donor was not present at the meeting and whilst there was a request to cancel the competition due to the low numbers, it was agreed to postpone a decision until March 2010. The individual Merit attracted 335 extra entries this year with 32 players taking part. The date for 2010 would be similar to this year and no changes were proposed. The Alan Mayhew Trophy would continue in its present format with the final to be played again on a Saturday. The Pool A and Pool B competition was mainly used to ensure a successful presentation evening which again was the case at Bylet last week. No changes were proposed.

Review of 2009 Playoffs and format for future years. - The Secretary advised that the dates for arranging the “Pre playoff” matches between league winners may be a problem in the future if more than four teams applied or if a league winner applied from a league that finished after the first Friday in October. After discussion where it was agreed that this years matches had been very well attended and created much interest that the present format should continue and the current rule allowed for the Management Committee to change the date of the final match if needed.

Dates for League Fixtures 2010 and introduction of “super six/eight” Sunday fixtures - The secretary explained that Easter Friday in 2010 would be the 2^nd April. The league has to work in conjunction with other leagues and Mick Jones suggested that the beginning of April was too early and we should start later in the month. After discussion between starting on the 9^th and 16^th April, it was agreed to start on the 9^th April. If other leagues started earlier, then our “Match One” would be fitted in during the season on an extra Wednesday. The Secretary then explained his thoughts on having a “Match of the week”, played on a Sunday in 2010. In 2009, due to inclement weather, a number of fixtures have been played on a Sunday evening and had been well attended. In fact Steve Heath advised the meeting that there match with Chester Road was abandoned after eight games on the Friday and that was more watching the remaining four games when it was rearranged. The fixtures would avoid the first Sunday (Senior County) and second Sunday (County Juniors) and would be a “taster” for future years. After discussion from the floor where it was suggested that Sundays may not be convenient for their players it was decided to allow the club representative to go back to their individual clubs for them to discuss and that it would appear as an agenda item at the March 2010 meeting.

In Pool A, Chester Road beat Castlefields by 30 to deny the Champions a league double, and Newport beat Wem USC by 32 in the Pool B final. Full details follow this link.............

Keith Walton, the Castlefields captain receives the league trophy and a cheque for £1,000 from County President Isobel Jones

Pictured above are the individual/pairs winners from 2009 at Bylet tonight. From left Peter Farmer, Andrew Duckett, Steve Robinson, Charlie Weaver

League Averages winner Richard Lawson (Bowring) receives the Neville Edwards Trophy from the donor himself (Right)

Childs Ercall retained their premier status at Meole Brace tonight when a strong middle four overturned a nine deficit off the first four to lead by 22 and with one winners in the back four they won by 12 in front of a crowd of 350.

Burway led by 13 after Duncan Pressley won to 8 first match off and then with Mark Rogers winning to 17 led by 17 after two blocks off . Game one saw Brian Shore matched against Wayne Rogers and after a close encounter Brian won to 19 and with Graham Wood winning 21-15, the deficit was down to nine after four.

Into the middle four and Steve Dicken built up a 12-5 lead over Roy Crowther going full corners, and maintained this to win 21-9. Nick Newey and John Breeze also had good leads of 18-9 and 18-10 respectively meant that Childs Ercall were going to be well up after the middle even with Jon Martin having a close game with Clive Rushton. But Burway battled and Jolyon got 14 off Nick and Glyn got 14 off John, but this still meant that Childs Ercall now lead by 17. And with Jon Martin then coming off winning 16 in a good quality contest with Clive, meant that Childs Ercall were 22 up going into the back four.

Burway now needed a good start but Steve Rogers and Steve Edwards were fairly equal, although Russell Davies was always a few up on Ben Gibson after a shaky start. But with Roy Langford leading 14-5 meant that it was going to be an uphill struggle for Burway. Steve Rogers came off winning 16, but Childs Ercall were only a few chalks off winning the game and when Ben Gibson managed to score a single at 19-13 down against Russell Davies their Premier League status was retained. Russell came off winning 14, and Roy managed to win 17 after a spirited fight back by Shane in the corners, and then last on Kev Dovey managed to beat Dave Brown in a close game to 19. For full match details and pics follow the link.......

Burway continued their fine end of season form when they beat Hadley USC by 30 shots at Telepost tonight. In a first four that looked like being evenly matched with Phil King 12-8 up against Wayne Rogers and both Ian Thomas and Dave Price having leads with only Mick Price struggling for weight against Mark Rogers. But with Wayne winning to 17 and Mark to 11, both Leanard Lewis and Duncan Pressley pulled back to get 20 and win 20 respectively and lead by 14 overall. They started off well in the middle four and ended with all four winners to stretch their advantage to 33 and although Hadley had two winners at the back Burway won by 30 and will now play Childs Ercall at Meole Brace (non premier) on Friday 2nd October (start 7.00 pm). For full match details follow the link.......

Hadley USC were made to work hard tonight to overcome Prees at Meole Brace and won the match by nine chalks.

Hadley started with the three winners to lead by 20 chalks. In the early stages, Hadley No.1 Ian Thomas was 17-4 up but Phil Beeston recovered to get 16 and help reduce the deficit. In the middle four, Hadley had another three winners and increased their advantage to 24 shots but Prees rallied well in the back four and at one stage with Robin Blackhurst and Grant Hickson leading 19-10 and 19-12 respectively, an unlikely Prees win was on the cards but the Hadley players managed to score the 61 shots they required and will now play Burway in the winners takes all match at Telepost on Wednesday night.

Burway finished comfortable winners of tonights pre play off match against Prees at The Bowring

Burway started with the first four winners to lead by 38 chalks. In the early stages, county star Wayne Rogers was 12-4 down before finding a mark off the crown to run out with a break of 17. Prees had their first winner when Steve Plant triumphed 21-19 against ex Craven Arms player Roy Crowther, but it was to be the south Shropshire sides night and they recorded the biggest win in the playoffs to date with a 84 chalk win. They will now play Hadley USC next Wednesday (30th September) whilst Prees will be looking for pride in their match against Hadley USC on Monday at Meole Brace. Hadley confirmed their place in the pre play offs with a 10-5 win against the White Horse to seal their first Mid Shropshire Title since 1985. For full match details and pics follow the link.......

Semi finals to be played on the 30th September, with the finals at Bylet on Friday 9th October

The details for the pre play off matches assuming Hadley USC win their league have been finalised and are as follows:-

Game 1 Thursday 24^th September PREES v BURWAY @ Bowring (Premier Green) Start 7.00pm

Game 2 Monday 28^th September HADLEY USC v PREES (if Losers) of game 1 Start 7.00pm

Game 2 Tuesday 29^th September HADLEY USC v BURWAY (if Losers) of game 1 Start 7.00pm

The Hadley USC v Prees game to be played Monday 28^th September or Wednesday 30^th September will be played at Meole Brace No.2 (Premier), Shrewsbury.

The Hadley USC v Burway game to be played Tuesday 29th September or Wednesday 30^th September will be played at Telepost No.2, Shrewsbury.

1. The competition shall be confined to clubs who have won or will win their respective leagues.

2. Club teams shall each be composed of 12 male players. Players selected must be bona fide members of the bowling Club. No team player shall be allowed to play in a playoff match on a green of any Club of which he is a playing member. Definition of a playing member ~ One who pays a subscription to a Bowling Club or to a Bowling Section of a Sports or Social Club or is a member of an organisation which utilises the green of such Club or Section. If this rule is transgressed then the game shall be awarded to his opponent 21 points to nil. If a green is considered unfit for play owing to weather conditions, the onus and responsibility for abandoning a match shall rest with the Referee and Groundsman. If a playoff game cannot be played due to the green having been deemed unfit for play the game shall be played within seven days, at the same venue, the draw for the matches to stand. Matches will not be abandoned before 7.45 p.m.

4. The number of players in each team shall be twelve and the greens, which shall be neutral, shall be selected by the Executive Committee.

5. The three teams, Prees, Burway, and Hadley USC shall play each other on a round robin basis. A total of three games will be played.

6. The match will feature twelve games of 21 up with the winners to be determined by overall aggregate.

7. Each match will be decided on an aggregate basis. The winning team will receive 2 points with 1 point awarded to each team if the aggregate is tied.

8. The draw for each match shall be made by the club captains exchanging the names of their players in order prior to the 7.00 p.m. deadline. ~ In every match, the toss of a coin shall determine cast of jacks (odd and evens).

9. Any club not sending its full compliment of players shall forfeit 21 points in each case.

10. The Club gaining the greatest number of points in the group shall then play in a one off game against the team who have finished bottom of the SPBL.

11. In the case of a tie for the top position in the group the winning club shall be determined by firstly, the highest positive aggregate, secondly the best winner over the two matches played, thirdly the second best winner etc.

12. All clubs on whose green a match is played shall provide not less than five standard jacks and a tape measure (19 metre) as required by the B.C.G.B.A.

13. A result sheet shall be furnished by the SPBL for each match and this shall be in the hands of the referee before the commencement of games and he shall be responsible for its completion.

14. All players must be prepared to play when called upon, otherwise a reserve player must be included or 21 points forfeited."

The venue for the final playoff game against Childs Ercall will be arranged shortly and will depend on the location of the successful club.

Castlefields are the 2009 League Champions for a record seventh time. They clinched the title when they picked up seven points at Bylet tonight.

The draw and venues for the quarter finals to be played on Wednesday 23rd September are as follows:

Semi finals to be played on the 30th September, with the finals at Bylet on Friday 9th October

Bylet have beaten Castlefields on aggregate with five winners tonight (match score 7-7) and finished one point ahead of Childs Ercall who managed four points at Wrockwardine Wood. Childs Ercall will now play the pre play off winners on Friday 2nd October

Burway have tonight won the Ludlow league and join Press as a confirmed application for the play-offs. The match between these two teams will take place next week and the venue and date will be confirmed tomorrow. If Hadley USC win their league they will play the losers of the Press/Burway match after the 25th September with the final match being played on Wednesday 30th September. Full details to follow.

I have now received a third "expression of interest" to take part in the end of season play offs. This will mean at least three games to complete before the 30th September and full details to be advised later this week.

Team	Player	Pl	W	Aggr
Bowring	Richard Lawson	26	22	181
Newport	Alan Davidson	25	21	137
Chester Road	Andy Moss	26	21	126
Castlefields	David Hoffman	26	21	102
Sir J Bayley	Spencer Clarke	24	19	173
Childs Ercall	John Breeze	26	19	140
St Georges	Peter Farmer	24	19	112
Wrock Wood	Andrew Jones	25	19	109
Meole Brace	Colin Beaman	24	19	106
Wem USC	Mike Dulson	26	18	102
Bylet	Scott Harries	26	17	126
Ifton	Nick Hughes	22	17	97
Archibald W'ton	Paul Smith	26	16	52
Ford	Bill Tarrell	26	15	48

Agg	Pts	Friday 11th September			Pts
+32	10	Bowring Ayden Smith 21-6	v	Arch W'ton Greg Fordham 21-7	4
+67	12	Ifton Gerwyn Davies 21-7	v	Wem USC Mel Jenkins 21-18	2
+61	11	St Georges Tony Rhodes 21-3	v	Bylet Scott Harries 21-9	3
		Childs Ercall Playing Sunday at 6.30 pm	v	Ford
+33	9	Sir J Bayley Spencer Clarke 21-3	v	Newport Phil Emery 21-15	5

Chester Road	beat	Ifton by 42	Castlefields
Castlefields	beat	Wrock Wood by 7	Childs Ercall

Wem USC	beat	Ford by 40	S J Bayley
Newport	beat	Childs Ercall by 13	Bowring

Ifton	beat	Meole Brace by 8	Wem USC
Wrock Wood	beat	St Georges by 8	Newport

Wem USC	beat	Arch W'ton by 8	Chester Road
Newport	beat	Sir J Bayley by 11	St Georges
Childs Ercall	beat	Bowring by 9	Castlefields
Ford	beat	Bylet by 14	Meole Brace

Arch W'ton	v	Wem USC	Chester Road
S J Bayley	v	Newport	St Georges
Childs Ercall	v	Bowring	Castlefields
Bylet	v	Ford	Meole Brace

Ford

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