Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
The 30th SPBL Merit takes place tonight at Tilstock at 6.30 p.m. with 8 quality players aiming to put their name in the history books. We return to where it all began 30 years ago, when Pete Farmer won the 1st ever Merit at the same venue. However none of those 16 finalists take part tonight, with only two of the 8 having lifted the trophy before. Tom Roden did it in 2017 and Liam Stevens in 2019, but both face tough openers in the 1st round tonight. Tom takes on the in form Joe Killen who has had a breakthrough season for St Georges winning 18 games, while Liam has our Averages and Most Consecutive Wins winner Callum Wraight, who looks to become the first person to win both the League Averages and the Merit in the same season. Rich Lawson is looking to do the clean sweep of honours in the league after winning the Pairs, Averages, Most Consecutive Wins and the Top 16 competition before, and has Scott Harries first round, the former League Averages winner of 2014. The other tie sees a twice runner-up Jamie King play Gary Whitehall, who, being the only North Shropshire qualifier in the field, will have the most green knowledge out of all the players.
It promises to be a fascinating night of bowls.
There is a special 30th anniversary Merit programme available tonight.
Live scores will be updated here.
There will be live coverage of the Semi Finals and Final on the Facebook group here.
Please find the odds below for the competition.
The odds next to the name are outright odds and the ones in the middle are heat betting.
| 1 | Jamie King 4/1 | 1/2 | 6/4 | Gary Whitehall 12/1 |
| 2 | Tom Roden 5/1 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Joseph Killen 6/1 |
| 3 | Callum Wraight 6/4 | 1/3 | 2/1 | Liam Stevens 10/1 |
| 4 | Scott Harries 4/1 | 4/7 | 5/4 | Richard Lawson 6/1 |
If you would like to have a bet beforehand then please contact Dave Ellison on 07966 731441. Payment can be made by bank transfer or paid on the night.