Midland Alliance

Both Shropshire teams fell short in their quest for the Midland Alliance, one by only a handful of chalks. Shropshire A’s loss in our first game against Staffordshire cost us in the end as that team finished top of the group. We only had 3 winners in an 11 shot loss, with Paul Reeves the best of them winning 12. In the second game against Derbyshire we won by 24 with 6 winners, Paul Reeves the best again winning 11. It was even more convincing in the last game even with only 5 winners, Sam Millward was the best 21-5 in a 35 shot win. However with Staffordshire winning their other two games they topped the groups with 6 points, with Shropshire 2nd with 4.

Shropshire B went agonisingly close to getting through, missing out by just 4 chalks. We started well with a 21 shot win over South Yorkshire, Josh Bradburn the best of their 6 winners 21-5. Next game we started well with the first 5 winners but two single figure defeats meant even with Dave Lloyd winning 16, the joint best with Adam Dovey, we lost by 5 to North Midlands. With Warwick and Worcester winning both their games, it meant we had to win by 15 to finish as group winners. It didn’t start to well with two winners apiece in the first four, but led by 2 thanks to Jack Hewitt’s best card of 11. We then had four winners but with Josh Bradburn the best at 16, it meant we only won by 13, falling two short of the target we needed.

It was a great day of bowls for the County though, with special mention to Paul Reeves, Ash Wellings, Adam Dovey and Dave Lloyd for winning all their games. County selector Mark Thomas commented there were “definitely some positives and a little unlucky. We beat the eventual winners in the group and lost a game when we had six winners from eight games. I feel that both our teams had players good enough to step up to the next level.”

Warwick and Worcester beat Staffordshire comfortably in the final, having 6 winners with Chris Watts the best winning 6.

Thanks to Mike Potter for the results and pictures below.

Shropshire A

Back from left: Mick Jones (Selector), Dan Wornell, Jolyon Partridge, Paul Reeves, Tony Rhodes, Ian Gaut & Mike Caddick (President).

Front from left: Sam Millward, Craig Wilson & Pete Grimston.

Shropshire B

Back from left: Mark Thomas (Selector), Dave Lloyd, Stuart Clee, Jack Hewitt, Chris Stretch & Mike Caddick (President).

Front from left: Ash Wellings, Ben Talbot, Adam Dovey & Josh Bradburn.

Winners Warwick and Worcester

From left: Glen Herbert, Phil Whitehead (Selector), Mitchell Harvey, Gareth Herbert (Team Manager) Josh Hale, Jack Whitehead, Lucas Hall, Jordan Bradbury, Adam Patrick & Chris Watts.

Final scores:

Group 1 Results:

Group Table:

Group 2 Results:

Group Table:

Shropshire A Averages:

Shropshire B Averages: