Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
We switch our attention to the second team in tomorrow’s Alan Mayhew Final, the current holders Newport. Newport have proved to be the most successful team this decade in Shropshire, winning the Premier League 4 times in a row, County Cup, Harris Cup and Pool A twice and the Alan Mayhew once. Their life started in the Shropshire Premier League in 2004 after beating Battlefield in the playoff at British Sugar (now Allscott) by 27 chalks at the end of the previous season. But they had a rocky start to life, finishing joint bottom in their first season in the league, but surviving by beating Archibald Worthington in a pre-playoff at Meole Brace, and finishing bottom again in 2007 but winning the playoff against Pontesbury at Allscott. This however started their revival, with Chris Grocott moving back from St Georges along with Dave Rhodes to help them move up to 9th(winning the most improved team) , 8th (winning the Pool B), 5th and then winning the league for the first time in 2011 with top players like Pete Farmer, Mick Jones and Kevin Keary all coming in. They continued to sign players over the next few seasons and this has meant they are currently the team to beat in Shropshire.
They have reached the Alan Mayhew Final for the third time, losing in 2011 against Chester Road then winning it last year against Meole Brace, and here is how they got here.
1st round vs. Bylet
Newport comfortably beat Bylet by 65 in the 1st round, having 10 winners out of the 12. Alan Davidson was the best at home winning 5 whilst Dave Rhodes 11 was best away.
| Newport | Score | Bylet | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Keary | 21 | Tom Mcgill | 9 |
| Philip Emery | 21 | Kevin Brazier | 17 |
| Alan Davidson | 21 | Brian Walters | 5 |
| Stephen Handley | 21 | Michael Harries | 19 |
| Chris Grocott | 21 | Chris Chamberlain | 6 |
| Peter Farmer | 21 | Rob Steventon | 14 |
| Games | 6 | Games | 0 |
| Aggregate | 126 | Aggregate | 70 |
| Bylet | Score | Newport | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Powner | 21 | Peter Grimston | 12 |
| Tim Ealey | 20 | Scott Harries | 21 |
| John Coxill | 11 | Dave Rhodes | 21 |
| Rob Renke | 17 | Dale Rudrum | 21 |
| Greg Wale | 21 | Jamie King | 20 |
| Matthew Ealey | 17 | Mark Selley | 21 |
| Games | 2 | Games | 4 |
| Aggregate | 107 | Aggregate | 116 |
Quarter Finals vs. St Georges
Newport faced their closest rivals in the next round in St Georges, and it proved to be a close game. Both teams produced good away results but it was Newport only losing by three away at St Georges that proved vital. Pete Farmer and Scott Harries both won on their return to their old green, Farmer 9 and Harries 16. At home they had 5 winners but only won by 11, Mick Jones 21-9 win the main difference.
| St George’s | Score | Newport | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew James | 21 | Peter Grimston | 15 |
| Jim Kellett | 21 | Alan Davidson | 17 |
| Michael Wainwright | 16 | Scott Harries | 21 |
| Simon Madeley | 9 | Peter Farmer | 21 |
| Ian Gaut | 21 | Russell Pegram | 17 |
| Dave King | 21 | Dave Rhodes | 15 |
| Games | 4 | Games | 2 |
| Aggregate | 109 | Aggregate | 106 |
| Newport | Score | St George’s | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Millward | 21 | Glyn Picknell | 20 |
| Kevin Keary | 21 | Nigel Evans | 18 |
| Philip Emery | 21 | Matthew Rhodes | 18 |
| Mark Selley | 21 | Alan Palin | 20 |
| Mick Jones | 21 | Tony Rhodes | 9 |
| Jamie King | 12 | Simon Rhodes | 21 |
| Games | 5 | Games | 1 |
| Aggregate | 117 | Aggregate | 106 |
Semi Finals vs. Meole Brace
In a repeat of last year’s final Newport turned in an accomplished home win of 52 whist the away team did their job away losing by 8. At home Chris Grocott was immaculate winning 1 whilst Scott Harries won 8 and Alan Davidson 10 to produce a super home performance. I’ve not got the away matchcard but Sam Millward winning 11 was the best card for Newport in limiting Meole to only an 8 shot win despite a 21-2 win for Gary Neal.
| Newport | Score | Meole Brace | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Harries | 21 | Glyn Wellings | 8 |
| Alan Davidson | 21 | Darren Wellings | 10 |
| Philip Emery | 21 | Will Tarrell | 17 |
| Chris Grocott | 21 | Andy Wigginton | 1 |
| Mark Selley | 20 | Nigel Bound | 21 |
| Mick Jones | 21 | Mark Thomas | 16 |
| Games | 5 | Games | 1 |
| Aggregate | 125 | Aggregate | 73 |