Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Two derbies kick off season, Bayley look to start strong, Meole aim to tame Dragons
The 2022 Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League season kicks off tonight with two derbies in the North and South of the region. Highley are the people’s favourites to get relegated this season and travel up the road to Bylet, a place where they won in 2019. Captain Stuart Gittings says his team are “really looking forward to the match we have a bit of local rivalry with them all good banter (well mostly!). The green looked in great nick last year. We will give it our best and get a few winners. Whatever happens we will be back round the black horse for a few beers after hopefully Newcastle beat Wolves, as being a Villa fan myself I took some stick at the Burway Open last Saturday!” Bylet will be looking to avenge that defeat and know a good home start is key for them to be looking up the table rather than down. In the north of the region 2019s bottom side Chester Road host Hanmer, themselves looking for a good start this season. Captain Gary Beff says “we are looking forward to the start of another season. It just feels good to be back on the green again after the last couple of very strange years. Just got to enjoy it and looking for a nice positive home win!” Away skipper Mike Gilpin will hope that 6 of their players who were on their green on Wednesday in the Barlows Fire & Security Alan Mayhew Trophy will help them get a good away result. He comments “after a great result in the Mayhew on Wednesday the lads are raring to go in the league and looking forward to our local derby at Chester Road. We will expecting a good battle as always.”
Reigning Champions and favourites Sir John Bayley will look for a good start as they host Ifton, but as Hanmer, Ifton had 6 players on the Bayley green on Wednesday, so they will hope that helps them gain some good away points. Castlefields host Newport and will be looking to take advantage of the players Newport have lost since 2019 to get a good home win. Newport will know they need a good start to give themselves confidence and not be dragged into a relegation battle. Hanwood will be looking for a top 3 place, but have a tough start at most people’s dark horses Wrockwardine Wood. Hanwood will hope going there early season before it’s running at its hardest will help them, with Wrockwardine knowing a good win will give them confidence they could challenge a top 3 place themselves. St Georges have made some good signings, and will be looking for an early away win at Meole Brace. Meole joint skipper Mark Thomas says “start of the league season and we are entertaining St Georges. It’s great to see the league back in full swing. We have two new singings that have given us a welcome boost and we are hoping to get off to a good start on our home green that is running nicely. All the best to the team let’s have a great season.” Burway will be looking to return to the league and host Wem USC, who they played in the Mayhew on Wednesday. Wem drew there in 2018, and would love a repeat with their new recruits, but Burway will be looking to start with a bang in their season back.
Week 1 Fixtures:
Bylet v Highley
Chester Road v Hanmer
Castlefields v Newport
Sir John Bayley v Ifton
Meole Brace v St Georges
Burway v Wem USC
Wrockwardine Wood v Hanwood