{"id":8668,"date":"2018-01-07T00:07:52","date_gmt":"2018-01-06T23:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?page_id=8668"},"modified":"2018-01-07T00:07:52","modified_gmt":"2018-01-06T23:07:52","slug":"playoffs-2017","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?page_id=8668","title":{"rendered":"Playoffs 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three teams took part in the 2017 Playoffs with Mid Shropshire League Champions Hadley USC, Tanners Shropshire Champions Ludlow Castle and Market Drayton League Winners Bridgewater all taking part to try and reach the final game against Wem USC, who finished bottom of our league.<\/p>\n

Monday 2nd October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hadley USC beat Ludlow Castle by 3 at Bridgewater big green<\/p>\n

Hadley USC had first blood in the 1st round robin game of the Pre-Playoffs but only just! Ludlow Castle fought valiantly to come back from 26 down off the first four to draw level after 11. But Steve Homer was the hero for the Huskies, running out from 18-14 down to win them the game by 3.<\/p>\n

The first four didn\u2019t show any of the tension that was to come with Hadley dominating. Nick Wyer enjoyed a good start down edges or corners to lead 11-4, but opponent Ben James got back to get 15. Phil King went from 8-6 down to lead 14-8 and then 20-12 before winning 14. John Newey had a close game with Richard Lane before having a good run down an edge at the end to win 16. Dave Price was always up to win 13 on the shorter marks, and gave Hadley a lead of 26 overall.<\/p>\n

But Ludlow came fighting back with Carl Bowen playing excellently to lead 20-7 over the middle, but Ash Gregory got in the corners and got back to 12, which in the end were vital points. Jamie Wyer and Jesse James was a vocal and energetic game, with Jamie licking two bowls within 4 inch at about 6 across and then made the most of it to lead 12-6 and maintained this gap to win 14. Adrian Smith played well over the middle to lead 10-8 but Dave Wilding got in and lengthened the mark over the other middle to run out in a flurry of twos. Mal Bowen was always up on Jim Fletcher and kept the gap to win 18. This meant Hadley led by 10.<\/p>\n

Ludlow had the better of the early exchanged with Graham Pritchard playing very well to lead Ray Gregory 11-4 over the middle, but Ray battled very well and kept clawing back on a similar length over the other middle. Nick Mullinder had an excellent start on a straight mark to lead 6-0 but couldn\u2019t get another run going with Lee Wilding virtually running out from about 14-12 up in the corners to put Ludlow just one behind. With the other three games in Ludlow\u2019s favour, they went favourites. But Ray won 20 to give Hadley a little more breathing space, with John Potter 16-15 up and Steve Homer 16-12 down. But John\u2019s opponent Mal Griffiths kept with him and was one down against a foot wood at 19-18 down before beating it and then placing two round the jack next end to get out 19 and draw the game level. Steve Homer was 18-15 down then against Graham Lane but played very well on a round peg just off the side of the crown to put his opponent under pressure and ran out to win the game for the Huskies.<\/p>\n

So Hadley get the 2 points and now face Bridgewater on Thursday at Battlefield. Ludlow Castle will hope to bounce back against Bridgewater on Wednesday at Sir John Bayley with a 7.15 start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ludlow Castle<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\nHUSC<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Ben James<\/td>\n15<\/td>\nNick Wyer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nicky Beard<\/td>\n14<\/td>\nPhil King<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Richard Lane<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nJohn Newey<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Simon Lane<\/td>\n13<\/td>\nDave Price<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carl Bowen<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nAshley Gregory<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jesse James<\/td>\n14<\/td>\nJamie Wyer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mal Bowen<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nJames Fletcher<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dave Wilding<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nAdrian Smith<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graham Pritchard<\/td>\n20<\/td>\nRay Gregory<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graham Lane<\/td>\n18<\/td>\nSteve Homer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lee Wilding<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nNick Mullinder<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mal Griffiths<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nJohn Potter<\/td>\n19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games<\/td>\n5<\/td>\nGames<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aggregate<\/td>\n215<\/td>\nAggregate<\/td>\n218<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Ludlow Castle team. Back from left: Nicky Beard, Simon Lane, Mal Griffiths, Dave Wilding, Richard Lane, Lee Wilding, Mal Bowen & Graham Pritchard.<\/p>\n

Front from left: Ben James, Carl Bowen &\u00a0 Graham Lane.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hadley USC team. Back from left: Steve Homer, John Lumsden, Nick Wyer, Phil King, Nick Mullinder, Ash Gregory & Kirsty Gregory.<\/p>\n

Front from left: Tracey Smith, Jamie Wyer, John Newey, Adrian Smith, Ray Gregory, John Potter, Jim Fletcher & Dave Price.<\/p>\n

Wednesday 4th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bridgewater beat Ludlow Castle by 11 at Sir John Bayley bottom green<\/p>\n

Bridgewater have set up a straight shootout with Hadley USC tonight after beating Ludlow Castle by 11 overall. It wasn\u2019t all plain sailing though as they trailed by 10 after the first four, only Dave Gourlay winning 14 and were grateful for Stuart Bailey getting 16 from 19-9 down and Tim Stokes getting 13 from 9-1 down. In the middle though and two breaks over 15 saw them pull ahead with Stuart Hodges winning 4 in the corners and Tom Cooper going one better over the middle. It could have been worse for Ludlow but Dave Wilding won 19 from 10-1 down and Carl Bowen came back to win 17 to limit the damage but it was still 19 shots to Bridgewater. Going into the back and Ludlow tried their best to get back into it. But Mal Griffiths was the only one to pull away from their opponent, going 14-2 up and winning 7, and even with Graham Pritchard winning 20 from a few down early doors, they could only draw with Keith Bell 20-17 down and Lee Wilding 18-17 up. In the end it was a 11 shots win to Bridgwater which gives them the draw in the game with Hadley tonight on Battlefield, but realistically, it is a winner takes all shootout.<\/p>\n

Commiserations to Ludlow Castle who showed over the two games that they are a good side and can compete with the best outside the league.<\/p>\n

Bridgwater will play Hadley USC tonight at Battlefield starting at 7. Draw will be released on here at 10.30.<\/p>\n

Scores:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bridgewater<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\nLudlow Castle<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Stewart Bailey<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nRichard Lane<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dave Gourlay<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nSimon Lane<\/td>\n14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greg Fordham<\/td>\n17<\/td>\nGraham Lane<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tim Stokes<\/td>\n13<\/td>\nBen James<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Matt Blackhurst<\/td>\n17<\/td>\nCarl Bowen<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stuart Hodges<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nMal Bowen<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tom Cooper<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nJesse James<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Julian Willis<\/td>\n19<\/td>\nDave Wilding<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chris Pearce<\/td>\n20<\/td>\nGraham Pritchard<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Steve Plant<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nLee Wilding<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phil Elson<\/td>\n7<\/td>\nMal Griffiths<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adrian Smout<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nKeith Bell<\/td>\n17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games<\/td>\n5<\/td>\nGames<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aggregate<\/td>\n214<\/td>\nAggregate<\/td>\n203<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bridgewater team. Back from left: Stuart Bailey, Tom Cooper, Steve Plant, Matt Blackhurst & Phil Elson .<\/p>\n

Front from left: Tim Stokes, Dave Gourlay, Stuart\u00a0 Hodges, Greg Fordham & Julian Willis.<\/p>\n

Thursday 5th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hadley USC beat Bridgewater by 34 at Battlefield<\/p>\n

Hadley USC set up a playoff final with fellow United Services Club Wem after beating Bridgewater by 34 chalks at Battlefield. They didn\u2019t have it all their own way though in the first four, with Stuart Bailey leading 19-8 over the middle and Greg Fordham 14-6 against Staffordshire county players Simon Homer and Jamie Wyer respectively. But Simon got into the corners and played very well to come back and win 20. Jamie scrambled 17 from 19-10 down and with John Newey winning 16 after being pegged back at 15 across, and Dave Price winning 18, although he was 12-6 up in the corners, it meant Hadley led by 5.<\/p>\n

Into the middle and Matt Blackhurst raced 7-0 up in the corners before being pegged back by Nick Wyer and then won 12 up to the crown and back. Phil King won 16 after always being up, and then once Jim Fletcher ran out from 8-7 down on a round peg just off the middle of the crown it put Hadley in control despite Tom Cooper winning 15 after a fightback in the corners by Ash Gregory. This meant Hadley led by 25 and looked like they were virtually there. There were no mishaps for them in the back, and once Ray Gregory got one at 19-17 down it was all over. Nick Mullinder played well on the shorter marks to win 16, the same as John Potter who got home 15. Steve Homer was a few down after a good start but battled back to get 20.<\/p>\n

So Hadley go on to face Wem in the final at Meole Brace tonight at 7. Commiserations to Bridgewater who showed they are more than capable in their two games and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be back next season for another go and a year wiser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bridgewater<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\nHUSC<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Stuart Bailey<\/td>\n20<\/td>\nSimon Homer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dave Gourlay<\/td>\n18<\/td>\nDave Price<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greg Fordham<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nJamie Wyer<\/td>\n17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tim Stokes<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nJohn Newey<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Matt Blackhurst<\/td>\n12<\/td>\nNick Wyer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stuart Hodges<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nPhil King<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tom Cooper<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nAshley Gregory<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Julian Willis<\/td>\n8<\/td>\nJames Fletcher<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chris Pearce<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nRay Gregory<\/td>\n19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Steve Plant<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nSteve Homer<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phil Elson<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nNick Mullinder<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Adrian Smout<\/td>\n15<\/td>\nJohn Potter<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games<\/td>\n4<\/td>\nGames<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aggregate<\/td>\n205<\/td>\nAggregate<\/td>\n239<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Friday 6th October<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wem USC retained their place in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier Bowling League after beating challengers Hadley USC by 24 in a playoff at Meole Brace attended by an excess of 300 people. It wasn’t as comfortable as the score suggests as Wem took an early lead before being pegged back and then pushed on to win. Man of the match Mike Dulson led the way for them winning 8 in the corners early doors but Hadley kept with them with Simon Homer having another slow start before getting back into the game and inflicting more pain on his opponent as he ran out from 16-15 up down an edge. Jamie Wyer also ran out from 17-12 down in the corners as he played some immaculate bowls. It could have been better for Hadley as Dave Price was 16 across but had a poor end which opponent Fred Bailey capitalised on to run out. So after the first four Wem led by 8.<\/p>\n

Into the middle and the volume was turned up, with Hadley supporters the main reason as Ash Gregory after struggling early doors went long and twirled his way to a 12 win from only 10-9 up. This gave Hadley the lead for the one and only time as Nick Wyer let a 17-13 and 20-17 lead go as Chris Brettell ran out to peg them back. Colin Smith was then going quietly about his business against a struggling Phil King and won 6, but with Jim Fletcher 16-10 up Hadley could sense they can get back into it. But Wem’s Mike Fielder had other ideas and pegged Jim back and won 17 to give Wem a 19 shot lead going into the back four.<\/p>\n

Wem knew they had to keep it tight and they did pretty much, sniffing out any big breaks for Hadley bowlers. Only John Potter managed to get a run going in the corners, and led 18-12, but at that time Connor Whitehall had pulled away from Ray Gregory and won 15, and with it the match for Wem. Scott Thomas always had the edge on his opponent and came off 17 after a fightback from 15-8 down for Nick Mullinder. Neil Boxall came back to 18 across against John before John won 19, while Steve Homer, after Paul Gleave had a good run himself from 13 across to lead 19-15, then ran out on a straight mark to limit the damage to 24, but it still meant Hadley haven’t returned at the first time of asking.<\/p>\n

Wem captain Graham Dulson commented “I thought the game was played with a good spirit from both teams on a well presented green. I am very proud of our team after a very hard season the lads kept playing when the going gets tough, and showed what they are capable of. I think Hadley have some very good players and will be back in the premier soon.”<\/p>\n

The league would like to thank Meole Brace for hosting the final, and in particular Mark Thomas for doing the gate and raffle, and Beth Rogers for helping him on the raffle. Also thanks goes to Mike Potter for refereeing to his usual high standards, and to Will Hare for measuring.<\/p>\n

Scores:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
HUSC<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\nWem U S C<\/th>\nScore<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Simon Homer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nCraig Ashley<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jamie Wyer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nDerek Wright<\/td>\n17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John Newey<\/td>\n8<\/td>\nMike Dulson<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dave Price<\/td>\n16<\/td>\nFred Bailey<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nick Wyer<\/td>\n20<\/td>\nChris Brettell<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ashley Gregory<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nGeorge Williams<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
James Fletcher<\/td>\n17<\/td>\nMike Fielder<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phil King<\/td>\n6<\/td>\nColin Smith<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ray Gregory<\/td>\n15<\/td>\nConnor Whitehall<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nick Mullinder<\/td>\n17<\/td>\nScott Thomas<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Steve Homer<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nPaul Gleave<\/td>\n19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John Potter<\/td>\n21<\/td>\nNeil Boxall<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Games<\/td>\n5<\/td>\nGames<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aggregate<\/td>\n204<\/td>\nAggregate<\/td>\n228<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Pictures:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mike Dulson collects the Man of the Match Champagne off League President John Coxill.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hadley USC team at the Playoff Final. Back from left: Phil King, Dave Price, Steve Homer, Simon Homer, Nick Wyer, Ash Gregory & John Wynne.<\/p>\n

Front from left: Adrian Smith, John Potter, Jim Fletcher, Jamie Wyer, John Newey & Ray Gregory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The victorious Wem USC team. Back from left: Graham Dulson, George Williams, Colin Smith, Craig Ashley, Neil Boxall, Mike Fielder & Derek Wright.<\/p>\n

Front from left: Paul Gleave, Connor Whitehall, Fred Bailey, Chris Brettell, Scott Thomas & Mike Dulson.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Three teams took part in the 2017 Playoffs with Mid Shropshire League Champions Hadley USC, Tanners Shropshire Champions Ludlow Castle and Market Drayton League Winners Bridgewater all taking part to try and reach the final game against Wem USC, who finished bottom of our league. Monday 2nd October Hadley USC beat Ludlow Castle by 3 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5VaGi-2fO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8668"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8668"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8669,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8668\/revisions\/8669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}