The qualifiers start tonight for the 2023 SPBL Merit for the John Coxill Trophy, with 5 to come from the 35 players taking part. At Chester Road, Nicky Jones and Ian Howell will look to qualify for the first time, while Gary Whitehall did get through last year. There are three other Adderley bowlers there along with Dave Ellison who has had a good season this year at Hanmer. At Sir John Bayley, record winner Pete Farmer starts his quest to win his sixth title, while Josh Bradburn and Liam Stevens are also former winners. Reece Farr and Josh Cotton have had excellent seasons, while Clay Flattley has recently hit form and Sarah Weaver is the only female taking part in the competition. Last year’s winner, Scott Simpson, plays at Meole Brace, along with this year’s Averages winner Alex Jones, and previous Merit winners Stuart Rutter, Darren Wellings and Martin Lloyd. Previous Shropshire Merit winners Spencer Clarke and Rich Lawson will look to make it a double, while Jon Palmer enters this for the first time.
All qualifiers start at 6.30 p.m. There is no dress code.
Chester Road Premier Green – 1 Qualifier from 7
Player
Club
Jamie Brookes
Adderley
Dave Ellison I/C
Hanmer
Ian Howell
Adderley
Nicky Jones
Ifton
Edward Proudlove
Adderley
Connor Whitehall
Adderley
Gary Whitehall
Adderley
Sir John Bayley Premier Green – 2 Qualifiers from 14
Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League