The 2025 KGJ Insurance County Cup Final takes place tonight with Highley taking on Sir John Bayley at Edgmond at 6.30 p.m.
The two teams come into the game with contrasting histories. The Bayley are looking to become the first team since Castlefields between 1995 and 1997 to win this for a third time in a row. Highley, on the other hand, have never reached this final before, but did win the Shropshire Cup in 2018, and would become the first team to win both with their first team.
The Bayley are currently in second place in the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League, and Highley are in 5th, which would be by far their highest finish in the league. Both come into it in good form, Bayley having won 14-0 and Highley 13-1 last night in the league.
Highley captain Simon Rhodes says “This is a great game and although we are the underdogs and very respectful of the team we are playing but we have come here to compete and give them a good game.”
Bayley joint skipper Scott Simpson says “we go out with a view to win tonight and we know it will be tough against a Highley side with nothing to lose. They are a very good side with very talented individuals and them reaching the final tonight shows they are now a force in Shropshire. We need to be on our metal and I’m sure we will be. Special mention to ex members who have sadly passed but particularly someone who was a figurehead of our club and someone we know will be watching down on us from above – Big Norm, we hope to make you proud!”
Highley lead out with Danny Statham, who plays Bayley new signing Pete Grimston, while Stu Gittings against Scott Harries should be a great game at number 2. Frank Leek is an experienced player from Warwick & Worcester for Highley, and takes on recent Colwyn Bay Festival winner Stuart Rutter at number 5. At number 6 is Jon Heath, who has been in great form, against Reece Farr, who reached the final of the Edgmond Open earlier this year. Jamie Taylor will have his hands full when he plays Scott Simpson at number 9, who has lost just once in the Premier League this season. Bruno Heath against Owen Evans is a clash of two young Staffordshire players at number 10, with both players having handled the pressure in the Semi Finals when helping to bring the game home for their respective teams.
Edgmond will be serving the usual hot food, and there will be a programme available with player profiles for both teams in.
Results will be posted here.
| No | Highley | Agg | Score | Score | Agg | Sir John Bayley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Statham | 0 | 0 | Peter Grimston | ||
| 2 | Stuart Gittings | 0 | 0 | Scott Harries | ||
| 3 | Jacob Ash | 0 | 0 | Chris Worthington | ||
| 4 | Phil Chester | 0 | 0 | Paul Evans | ||
| 5 | Frank Leek | 0 | 0 | Stuart Rutter | ||
| 6 | Jon Heath | 0 | 0 | Reece Farr | ||
| 7 | David East | 0 | 0 | Dan Taylor | ||
| 8 | Dave Scriven | 0 | 0 | Joe Dicken | ||
| 9 | Jamie Taylor | 0 | 0 | Scott Simpson | ||
| 10 | Bruno Heath | 0 | 0 | Owen Evans | ||
| 11 | Sam Mantom | 0 | 0 | Spencer Clarke | ||
| 12 | Simon Rhodes | 0 | 0 | Tom Roden | ||
| Games | 0 | 0 | Games | |||
| Aggregate | 0 | 0 | Aggregate |
Highley Reserves: Sean Lockley, Kris Johnson & Andy James
Sir John Bayley Reserves: Ayden Smith, Michael Cooper & Josh Bradburn
