Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
The 2023 Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowling League starts tomorrow with a new era for the league with our new sponsors Taylor Support. We are fortunate to have them on board and look forward to working with them over the season.
On the green, and it promises to be an exciting battle at the top and bottom of the league. Reigning Champions Wrockwardine Wood will know they are the team everyone wants to beat this season and will not be underestimated by any team they face. They have added to their squad from last season, despite the loss of Stuart Rutter, with Sam Millward, Aaron King and Rich Morris all coming in, meaning competition for places will be even more ferocious! Rob Jones is again captain, and when he made his first signing Sam back in October, he commented that “Sam will be a superb addition to our playing group next year and reinforce the side as we look to achieve more success. I said in my closing report last season that we had identified at least two signings with Sam being one.” Sir John Bayley and Castlefields are expected to be their main challengers, with both also having made signings. The Bayley never got going last year despite being favourites to win a third straight league title, so have added Ayden Smith, Ash Gregory, Stuart Rutter, Josh Hale and welcomed back Tom Roden for a full season. They have lost Nick Wyer, Clay Flattley and Steve Bodley, but will be expected to be much improved from last season. Castlefields have also made good signings in Wayne Rogers, Gary Neal and Hayden Lewis as they look to win the league for the first time since 2018. They flew out the traps last season before fading after halfway, so will be hoping to stay the whole course this time round.
St Georges were runners-up last season, and are another team to strengthen. Clay Flattley has returned, and Joe Killen, Cody Everitt and Joe Dicken will provide more strength in depth to the side. Ifton were the form team of the second half of the season, and if they can keep that momentum and a strong side out every week, they could be dark horses. They have added a big signing in Owen Jackson too. Hanwood will have to cope with the loss of Gary Neal from last season as they look to improve on 6th place, but will have some fresh ideas as Rich Lawson has returned to being a captain after doing such a great job at Bowring before. Meole Brace sneaked into the top half last season, and will be expected to do so again despite just the one addition in Tim Jordan.
The bottom looks incredibly interesting with the bottom three from last year; Bylet, Highley and Wem USC, expecting to be looking over their shoulders, and with Burway, having lost some players, and newcomers Adderley added into the mix, it could be very tight. Chester Road and Hanmer weren’t too far away either last season, and know that a bad run of results could drag them into trouble too. However both have made signings, the Roaders welcoming Dan Hand back into the league, and Hanmer having Sarah and Tommy Lowndes, Chris Edwards and Jacob Jones in their squad. Burway have lost their tailsman Wayne Rogers, as well as Rob Jones and Nick Lewis, so it could be a hard season ahead for them, but still have a good core that have featured for them since they first came into the league. Adderley will be an unknown force with this being their debut in the league, and know that home form will be key for them to keep off bottom spot. Bylet finished in that unfortunate position last season, but have added well to their squad, with Nick Wyer, Lee Bowden and Nick Lewis coming in, and Jason Groom featuring more regularly, although losing Sam Millward will be a blow. Highley have signed Kris Johnson and captain Reece Farr, and will have Darrell Handley, Bruno and John Heath playing more games for them than last season. Wem USC have had the most incomings and outgoings of any team from last season. In comes Simon Lewis, Ben Parkes, Craig Jones, Luke Grocott, Tony Sherratt and Carl Pawlowski, and out goes Derek Wright, Jamie Brookes, Connor Whitehall and Alex Hassall, the latter three going to Adderley.
It promises to be an exciting season ahead. Good luck to all 14 teams!