Playoffs 2017

Three teams took part in the 2017 Playoffs with Mid Shropshire League Champions Hadley USC, Tanners Shropshire Champions Ludlow Castle and Market Drayton League Winners Bridgewater all taking part to try and reach the final game against Wem USC, who finished bottom of our league.

Monday 2nd October

Hadley USC beat Ludlow Castle by 3 at Bridgewater big green

Hadley USC had first blood in the 1st round robin game of the Pre-Playoffs but only just! Ludlow Castle fought valiantly to come back from 26 down off the first four to draw level after 11. But Steve Homer was the hero for the Huskies, running out from 18-14 down to win them the game by 3.

The first four didn’t show any of the tension that was to come with Hadley dominating. Nick Wyer enjoyed a good start down edges or corners to lead 11-4, but opponent Ben James got back to get 15. Phil King went from 8-6 down to lead 14-8 and then 20-12 before winning 14. John Newey had a close game with Richard Lane before having a good run down an edge at the end to win 16. Dave Price was always up to win 13 on the shorter marks, and gave Hadley a lead of 26 overall.

But Ludlow came fighting back with Carl Bowen playing excellently to lead 20-7 over the middle, but Ash Gregory got in the corners and got back to 12, which in the end were vital points. Jamie Wyer and Jesse James was a vocal and energetic game, with Jamie licking two bowls within 4 inch at about 6 across and then made the most of it to lead 12-6 and maintained this gap to win 14. Adrian Smith played well over the middle to lead 10-8 but Dave Wilding got in and lengthened the mark over the other middle to run out in a flurry of twos. Mal Bowen was always up on Jim Fletcher and kept the gap to win 18. This meant Hadley led by 10.

Ludlow had the better of the early exchanged with Graham Pritchard playing very well to lead Ray Gregory 11-4 over the middle, but Ray battled very well and kept clawing back on a similar length over the other middle. Nick Mullinder had an excellent start on a straight mark to lead 6-0 but couldn’t get another run going with Lee Wilding virtually running out from about 14-12 up in the corners to put Ludlow just one behind. With the other three games in Ludlow’s favour, they went favourites. But Ray won 20 to give Hadley a little more breathing space, with John Potter 16-15 up and Steve Homer 16-12 down. But John’s opponent Mal Griffiths kept with him and was one down against a foot wood at 19-18 down before beating it and then placing two round the jack next end to get out 19 and draw the game level. Steve Homer was 18-15 down then against Graham Lane but played very well on a round peg just off the side of the crown to put his opponent under pressure and ran out to win the game for the Huskies.

So Hadley get the 2 points and now face Bridgewater on Thursday at Battlefield. Ludlow Castle will hope to bounce back against Bridgewater on Wednesday at Sir John Bayley with a 7.15 start.

Ludlow Castle	Score	HUSC	Score
Ben James	15	Nick Wyer	21
Nicky Beard	14	Phil King	21
Richard Lane	16	John Newey	21
Simon Lane	13	Dave Price	21
Carl Bowen	21	Ashley Gregory	12
Jesse James	14	Jamie Wyer	21
Mal Bowen	21	James Fletcher	18
Dave Wilding	21	Adrian Smith	10
Graham Pritchard	20	Ray Gregory	21
Graham Lane	18	Steve Homer	21
Lee Wilding	21	Nick Mullinder	12
Mal Griffiths	21	John Potter	19
Games	5	Games	7
Aggregate	215	Aggregate	218

The Ludlow Castle team. Back from left: Nicky Beard, Simon Lane, Mal Griffiths, Dave Wilding, Richard Lane, Lee Wilding, Mal Bowen & Graham Pritchard.

Front from left: Ben James, Carl Bowen &  Graham Lane.

The Hadley USC team. Back from left: Steve Homer, John Lumsden, Nick Wyer, Phil King, Nick Mullinder, Ash Gregory & Kirsty Gregory.

Front from left: Tracey Smith, Jamie Wyer, John Newey, Adrian Smith, Ray Gregory, John Potter, Jim Fletcher & Dave Price.

Wednesday 4th October

Bridgewater beat Ludlow Castle by 11 at Sir John Bayley bottom green

Bridgewater have set up a straight shootout with Hadley USC tonight after beating Ludlow Castle by 11 overall. It wasn’t all plain sailing though as they trailed by 10 after the first four, only Dave Gourlay winning 14 and were grateful for Stuart Bailey getting 16 from 19-9 down and Tim Stokes getting 13 from 9-1 down. In the middle though and two breaks over 15 saw them pull ahead with Stuart Hodges winning 4 in the corners and Tom Cooper going one better over the middle. It could have been worse for Ludlow but Dave Wilding won 19 from 10-1 down and Carl Bowen came back to win 17 to limit the damage but it was still 19 shots to Bridgewater. Going into the back and Ludlow tried their best to get back into it. But Mal Griffiths was the only one to pull away from their opponent, going 14-2 up and winning 7, and even with Graham Pritchard winning 20 from a few down early doors, they could only draw with Keith Bell 20-17 down and Lee Wilding 18-17 up. In the end it was a 11 shots win to Bridgwater which gives them the draw in the game with Hadley tonight on Battlefield, but realistically, it is a winner takes all shootout.

Commiserations to Ludlow Castle who showed over the two games that they are a good side and can compete with the best outside the league.

Bridgwater will play Hadley USC tonight at Battlefield starting at 7. Draw will be released on here at 10.30.

Scores:

Bridgewater	Score	Ludlow Castle	Score
Stewart Bailey	16	Richard Lane	21
Dave Gourlay	21	Simon Lane	14
Greg Fordham	17	Graham Lane	21
Tim Stokes	13	Ben James	21
Matt Blackhurst	17	Carl Bowen	21
Stuart Hodges	21	Mal Bowen	4
Tom Cooper	21	Jesse James	3
Julian Willis	19	Dave Wilding	21
Chris Pearce	20	Graham Pritchard	21
Steve Plant	21	Lee Wilding	18
Phil Elson	7	Mal Griffiths	21
Adrian Smout	21	Keith Bell	17
Games	5	Games	7
Aggregate	214	Aggregate	203

The Bridgewater team. Back from left: Stuart Bailey, Tom Cooper, Steve Plant, Matt Blackhurst & Phil Elson .

Front from left: Tim Stokes, Dave Gourlay, Stuart  Hodges, Greg Fordham & Julian Willis.

Thursday 5th October

Hadley USC beat Bridgewater by 34 at Battlefield

Hadley USC set up a playoff final with fellow United Services Club Wem after beating Bridgewater by 34 chalks at Battlefield. They didn’t have it all their own way though in the first four, with Stuart Bailey leading 19-8 over the middle and Greg Fordham 14-6 against Staffordshire county players Simon Homer and Jamie Wyer respectively. But Simon got into the corners and played very well to come back and win 20. Jamie scrambled 17 from 19-10 down and with John Newey winning 16 after being pegged back at 15 across, and Dave Price winning 18, although he was 12-6 up in the corners, it meant Hadley led by 5.

Into the middle and Matt Blackhurst raced 7-0 up in the corners before being pegged back by Nick Wyer and then won 12 up to the crown and back. Phil King won 16 after always being up, and then once Jim Fletcher ran out from 8-7 down on a round peg just off the middle of the crown it put Hadley in control despite Tom Cooper winning 15 after a fightback in the corners by Ash Gregory. This meant Hadley led by 25 and looked like they were virtually there. There were no mishaps for them in the back, and once Ray Gregory got one at 19-17 down it was all over. Nick Mullinder played well on the shorter marks to win 16, the same as John Potter who got home 15. Steve Homer was a few down after a good start but battled back to get 20.

So Hadley go on to face Wem in the final at Meole Brace tonight at 7. Commiserations to Bridgewater who showed they are more than capable in their two games and I’m sure they’ll be back next season for another go and a year wiser.

Bridgewater	Score	HUSC	Score
Stuart Bailey	20	Simon Homer	21
Dave Gourlay	18	Dave Price	21
Greg Fordham	21	Jamie Wyer	17
Tim Stokes	16	John Newey	21
Matt Blackhurst	12	Nick Wyer	21
Stuart Hodges	16	Phil King	21
Tom Cooper	21	Ashley Gregory	15
Julian Willis	8	James Fletcher	21
Chris Pearce	21	Ray Gregory	19
Steve Plant	21	Steve Homer	20
Phil Elson	16	Nick Mullinder	21
Adrian Smout	15	John Potter	21
Games	4	Games	8
Aggregate	205	Aggregate	239

Friday 6th October

Wem USC retained their place in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League after beating challengers Hadley USC by 24 in a playoff at Meole Brace attended by an excess of 300 people. It wasn’t as comfortable as the score suggests as Wem took an early lead before being pegged back and then pushed on to win. Man of the match Mike Dulson led the way for them winning 8 in the corners early doors but Hadley kept with them with Simon Homer having another slow start before getting back into the game and inflicting more pain on his opponent as he ran out from 16-15 up down an edge. Jamie Wyer also ran out from 17-12 down in the corners as he played some immaculate bowls. It could have been better for Hadley as Dave Price was 16 across but had a poor end which opponent Fred Bailey capitalised on to run out. So after the first four Wem led by 8.

Into the middle and the volume was turned up, with Hadley supporters the main reason as Ash Gregory after struggling early doors went long and twirled his way to a 12 win from only 10-9 up. This gave Hadley the lead for the one and only time as Nick Wyer let a 17-13 and 20-17 lead go as Chris Brettell ran out to peg them back. Colin Smith was then going quietly about his business against a struggling Phil King and won 6, but with Jim Fletcher 16-10 up Hadley could sense they can get back into it. But Wem’s Mike Fielder had other ideas and pegged Jim back and won 17 to give Wem a 19 shot lead going into the back four.

Wem knew they had to keep it tight and they did pretty much, sniffing out any big breaks for Hadley bowlers. Only John Potter managed to get a run going in the corners, and led 18-12, but at that time Connor Whitehall had pulled away from Ray Gregory and won 15, and with it the match for Wem. Scott Thomas always had the edge on his opponent and came off 17 after a fightback from 15-8 down for Nick Mullinder. Neil Boxall came back to 18 across against John before John won 19, while Steve Homer, after Paul Gleave had a good run himself from 13 across to lead 19-15, then ran out on a straight mark to limit the damage to 24, but it still meant Hadley haven’t returned at the first time of asking.

Wem captain Graham Dulson commented “I thought the game was played with a good spirit from both teams on a well presented green. I am very proud of our team after a very hard season the lads kept playing when the going gets tough, and showed what they are capable of. I think Hadley have some very good players and will be back in the premier soon.”

The league would like to thank Meole Brace for hosting the final, and in particular Mark Thomas for doing the gate and raffle, and Beth Rogers for helping him on the raffle. Also thanks goes to Mike Potter for refereeing to his usual high standards, and to Will Hare for measuring.

Scores:

HUSC	Score	Wem U S C	Score
Simon Homer	21	Craig Ashley	15
Jamie Wyer	21	Derek Wright	17
John Newey	8	Mike Dulson	21
Dave Price	16	Fred Bailey	21
Nick Wyer	20	Chris Brettell	21
Ashley Gregory	21	George Williams	12
James Fletcher	17	Mike Fielder	21
Phil King	6	Colin Smith	21
Ray Gregory	15	Connor Whitehall	21
Nick Mullinder	17	Scott Thomas	21
Steve Homer	21	Paul Gleave	19
John Potter	21	Neil Boxall	18
Games	5	Games	7
Aggregate	204	Aggregate	228

Pictures:

Mike Dulson collects the Man of the Match Champagne off League President John Coxill.

Hadley USC team at the Playoff Final. Back from left: Phil King, Dave Price, Steve Homer, Simon Homer, Nick Wyer, Ash Gregory & John Wynne.

Front from left: Adrian Smith, John Potter, Jim Fletcher, Jamie Wyer, John Newey & Ray Gregory.

The victorious Wem USC team. Back from left: Graham Dulson, George Williams, Colin Smith, Craig Ashley, Neil Boxall, Mike Fielder & Derek Wright.

Front from left: Paul Gleave, Connor Whitehall, Fred Bailey, Chris Brettell, Scott Thomas & Mike Dulson.