Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Pool A
Sir John Bayley and Chester Road enter the BowlsTrader Pool A at the Semi Finals stage with both teams having already played each other three times this season. Captain Paul Fowles comments “we have beat them 3 times this season so they will be out to get one over on us. But we will give it a good do as we have a strong team out. They are the League Champions so it should be a good game.” Bayley skipper Spencer Clarke is hoping “it is 4th time lucky for SJB against Chester Road fingers crossed, who have certainly had the measure of SJB this season. The Roaders not only beat us home and away in the league but also in the pre-season Alan Mayhew fixture, so we face a tough task to win the tie. I do however have a full squad to pick from so we will be sending a very strong side to Meole Brace in our bid to reverse fortunes and hopefully progress to finals night.” The other Semi Final is between St Georges and Meole Brace at Hadley USC. Both teams overcame rivals last round comfortably and St Georges will be looking to show a trophy for their efforts this season while Meole will look to add to their Black Tech Ltd Alan Mayhew Trophy triumph.
Pool B
Bowring will be looking to play in a home final for the first time but will have to overcome former Champions Newport to do so at Sir John Bayley. Newport have had a transition season but some silverware will at least show they are still capable of winning trophies. Both teams have respect for each other, Newport captain Mark Selley says “Bowring are a team packed with talented players so think we both respect each other and it should be a good game.” Opposition skipper Rich Lawson agrees, “it should be a good game as we’ve both got a strong 8 to put out so I’m expecting a keenly fought contest with us hopefully edging it.” The other semi final sees the two most successful teams in Pool B beat on Meole Brace no.2 green, Wrockwardine Wood and Ifton, both winning it 4 times. The Wrockites narrowly came past Wem USC last week while Ifton beat Burway comfortably and both teams will be hoping to mark a disappointing season with a final appearance. Both have good memories of the green, Ifton beat Meole on it last season as well as Champions Newport, while Wrockwardine won Pool B on there in 2014 against Burway.
A reminder it is dress code and that £4 needs to be paid to the host club by each team.
Pool A Semi Finals:
Sir John Bayley v Chester Road at Meole Brace No.1
St Georges v Meole Brace at Hadley USC
Pool B Semi Finals:
Ifton v Wrockwardine Wood at Meole Brace No.2
Bowring v Newport at Sir John Bayley Bottom Green