Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
The first ever Premier League Merit was held on Sunday 17th July 1994 at Tilstock. 97 players entered, playing on 8 Premier League greens on Friday 10th June, 2 qualifying from each green. The players who qualified are pictured below. The green was freakishly fast for the day, Tilstock being picked in honour of Premier League Chairman Neville Edwards. Pete Farmer and Ian Lealand made it to the final, and everyone expected a close final. But Pete, from 2-0 down, had a break of 9 and then led 20-4, before Ian scored three more until Pete managed to get out 21-7. He picked up the £200 first prize. Ian had beaten Mick Price 15 in the Semi Finals, with Pete defeating Mark Selley 12.
Full scores are below, with none of those 16 having qualified this season.
Scores:
1st round:
Len Brookfield (AWC) 11-21 Kevin Perks (Battlefield), Ian Lealand (St Georges) 21 Mike Reeves (Wem USC) 17, Alan Ball (AWC) 21 George Roberts (Chester Road) 17, Rich Bevan (Meole Brace) 15 Mick Price (Hadley USC) 21, Ian Rodger (Chester Road) 21 Tony Cowdale (Craven Arms) 14, Carl Teece (St Georges) 13 Pete Farmer (Hadley USC) 21, Mark Selley (Wrockwardine Wood) 21 Ian Gaut (Donnington Wood) 10, Nicky Beard (Craven Arms) 17 Dale Downes (Wrockwardine Wood) 21
Quarter Finals:
Perks 21 Lealand 17, Ball 18, Price 21, Rodger 13, Farmer 21, Selley 21 Downes 13
Semi Finals:
Lealand 21 Price 15, Farmer 21 Selley 12
Final:
Lealand 7 Farmer 21