Four teams battle tonight at St Georges looking to book their place in the final of the KGJ Insurance County Cup Final.
Two teams meet again less than 24 hours after meeting in the Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League. 2021 cup winners Wrockwardine Wood defeated 2023 and 2024 cup winners Sir John Bayley 9-5 at home but know this will be very different on a different type of green. Wrockites captain Liam Stevens says “this will be a really challenging day ahead on what I’m sure are going to be on a pretty naughty surface. Whatever happened last night we will reset quickly for the big one on Saturday – those are the games we play bowls for. Very much looking forward to a game against a top, top side.” Bayley joint skipper Paul Evans says “we face WW in the cup semi final and we look forward to what we expect to be a tough game. We face them Saturday night in the cup Semi Final at St Georges in what again will be a fiercely fought contest with a place in the final at stake. I’m sure there will be plenty of banter over both games and every single shot will be worked for, but this is why we play the game, to be involved in fixtures like these.”
The other Semi Final sees two clubs desperate to make their first County Cup Final in a long while. Hanwood last appeared in it in 1990, while Highley have never done so, but did win the Shropshire Cup in 2018. Hanwood captain Simon Lane says “Saturday’s County Cup semi final game is a great opportunity for both teams to make it to the final of this prestigious cup. We are both evenly matched in the league so a close match is definitely on the cards. With both semi finals being played at the same venue and with the hot weather this week it’s going to be a great atmosphere and something we are very much looking forward to being a part of. Highley are a strong team with some top players and experienced heads and probably go in just as favourites. Our aim is to give 100% and enjoy the night.” Highley skipper Simon Rhodes says “in the quarter final Highley took on an up for it Meole Brace side on a very quick little green and Highley rallied around and spurred each other on to win a good match against Meole. Now we face Hanwood on the grand stage of St Georges prem green as they are starting to find some really decent form. I think the green will be surprisingly quick, which will make St George’s a difficult green to play on tonight. I think the tight games will determine the match tonight and I think that it will be a very well fought contest to the end. All the best tonight to our Hanwood opponents to gain a place in the County Cup final.”
Wrockwardine Wood play Sir John Bayley on the bottom green, while Highley take on Hanwood on the top.
Both games start at 6.30 p.m.
St Georges is a CASH only venue.
There is no dress code.
A player must have played at least six league games in the current season, for that club in one or a combination of leagues affiliated to the SCGBA, before the Semi Finals.
