Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
We preview the four quarter finals of the Barlows Fire & Security Alan Mayhew Trophy
Burway v Hanwood
Burway meet Hanwood in a clash of two teams that know each other’s green well. Burway got past rivals Ludlow Castle last round, and reached the final in 2015, while Hanwood are the holders of this competition, and successfully got past Ifton two weeks ago. Burway joint captain Russ Davies comments “we love Hanwood, always had a great time with them from the good old Tanners days, looking forward to it. Think they are favourites, but 6 and 6 is always a tricky night. We have most available but Roy Crowther is out due to being the main bingo caller at his local village hall. But with the strength of Hanwood and their green, we have to give them respect to. We are good at home to, a close call for me.”
Wrockwardine Wood v Castlefields
This will be a fiercely contested game like it always is between the two teams, with Wrockwardine Wood having a great season so far and Castlefields being the most in form team in the league at the moment, winning their last 7 league games. But it may be both team’s strength in depth that decides who wins, as both teams struggled for a side last round, but both got through, the Fields against St Georges and Wrockites versus Bylet.
Sir John Bayley v Newport
These two teams meet for the third time in under two weeks, with one win apiece, although the Bayley beat Newport in the KGJ Insurance County Cup Final on Saturday. Newport will be fired up to put that right, with captain Sam Millward saying “I can’t imagine there’ll be much in the game again, down to whoever gets the bigger home win!” The Bayley will look to keep their momentum up and get another one over on Newport, one of their main title rivals.
Hanmer v Meole Brace
Last year’s runners up Meole Brace enter the competition after getting the bye last round. They have had an up and down season but are sitting comfortably in mid table regardless, and will fancy another good cup run to get to their third final in as many years, they won it in 2016. They beat Hanmer on their way to the final last season, but Hanmer, despite their struggles in the league, had a great win over local rivals Chester Road in the last round.