Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Friday 3rd October
Newport have won the right to play in the Premier League next season when they overcame Battlefield by 27 chalks at British Sugar.
In another very well attended final playoff game, Newport were comfortable winners in the end but were 13 down when Colin Smith won 21-8 for the Premier League bottom placed side at Number 1, but this soon reduced to 3 when the youngest player for either side, Chris Grocott belied his years to win 21-11 and with the other two games giving a win to each side, Battlefield led by 5 chalks after 4 blocks off.
Newport won all the games in the middle four with Dave Westwood beating Kevin Perks 21-19, Wayne Lawrence 21-19, Dale Rudrum 21-17 and Geoff Round 21-15, and with Alan Davidson winning 21-4 at Number 9, Newport were 26 up.
When Greg Fordham won 21-12 at Number 10, the match was effectively over with Newport 36 up and now a Premier League side and Battlefield the inaugural winners of the Premier League in 1994 facing relegation.
Despite a fine 21-4 win for Alan Hartshorne , Paul Rudrum was the last match off and Newport had won by 27 chalks and had been promoted at the first attempt.
Full scorecard see below………..
Played on Friday 3rd October at British Sugar
Newport B.C. v Battlefield B.C.
| SCORE | PLAYERS NAME | NO. | PLAYERS NAME | SCORE |
| 8 | Cliff Emery | 1 | Colin Smith | 21 |
| 15 | Phil Emery | 2 | Pete Thomas | 21 |
| 21 | Brian Perry | 3 | John Tanner | 18 |
| 21 | Chris Grocott | 4 | Chris Greenway | 11 |
| 21 | Wayne Lawrence | 5 | Mick Rogers | 19 |
| 21 | Dale Rudrum | 6 | Neil Clarke | 17 |
| 21 | Geoff Round | 7 | Rob Morris | 15 |
| 21 | Dave Westwood | 8 | Kevin Perks | 19 |
| 21 | Alan Davidson | 9 | Terry Gray | 4 |
| 21 | Greg Fordham | 10 | Chris Brettell | 12 |
| 21 | Paul Rudrum | 11 | Harold Banks | 12 |
| 4 | Ian Whittington | 12 | Alan Hartshorne | 21 |
| 217 | 190 |
Newport, winners of tonight’s playoffs.
Battlefield, the inaugural champions who lost tonight.
Wednesday 1st October
The relegation PLAYOFF match between tonight’s winners Newport and bottom placed Battlefield will take place at British Sugar on Friday 3rd October.
In tonight’s pre playoff game Mid Shropshire champions Newport overcame Oswestry league winners Rhos by 16 chalks. In a close encounter, Newport led by 9 after the first four only to Rhos to hit back and lead by 2 after 8 blocks off. After 10 games off the match was dead level, but then Newport asserted themselves and with the last 2 winners ran out the victors. Full details see below………..
Played on Saturday 27th September at Meole Brace (Premier)
Newport B.C. v Rhos B.C.
| SCORE | PLAYERS NAME | NO. | PLAYERS NAME | SCORE |
| 11 | Wayne Lawrence | 1 | Arwel Davies | 21 |
| 21 | Cliff Emery | 2 | Martin Chesworth | 19 |
| 21 | Chris Grocott | 3 | Andy Jones | 11 |
| 21 | Phil Emery | 4 | Gerwyn Davies | 12 |
| 9 | Brian Perry | 5 | Aled Davies | 21 |
| 17 | Geoff Round | 6 | Jeff Jones | 21 |
| 18 | Dave Westwood | 7 | Geraint Evans | 21 |
| 21 | Dale Rudrum | 8 | Alan Owens | 15 |
| 21 | Alan Davidson | 9 | Bryn Williams | 8 |
| 10 | Ian Whittington | 10 | Tony Roberts | 21 |
| 21 | Greg Fordham | 11 | Elfed Davies | 14 |
| 21 | Paul Rudrum | 12 | Elwyn Edwards | 12 |
| 212 | 196 |
The two captains with match referee Geoff Rimell (centre).
Pictured left is Newport captain Phil Emery with Rhos captain Geraint Evans (right)
The details of the games and rules are as follows:-
Saturday 27th September commencing at 7.00 pm
Pre Play off Match
Newport v Rhos
at Meole Brace No. 2 (Premier League Green)
Referee – Geoff Rimell
Friday 3rd October commencing at 7.00 pm
Relegation Play Off
Battlefield will play the winners of the above game
Referee – Dave Card