{"id":10330,"date":"2019-04-02T19:08:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-02T18:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?p=10330"},"modified":"2019-04-02T19:08:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-02T18:08:00","slug":"2019-captains-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?p=10330","title":{"rendered":"2019 Captain’s Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

See below the captain’s previews of all 14 teams ahead of the season. Thank you to all captains for providing me with this, think it may be the first time all 14 have given me virtually everything I asked so I appreciate that!<\/p>\n

Club: Burway BC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captains: Ben Allen\/Jesse James (Joint Captains)<\/p>\n

Players Signed:\u00a0 Harry Parsonage (bringing through the youngsters in the club), Liam Dovey (available to play every premier game), Peter Griffiths (Not a new signing, but hopeful of having \u201cFerret\u201d back in the fold).<\/p>\n

Players Left: Nick Lewis to Bylet<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields to win the league, with Newport a close second.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood. Got the players, got the home green, just need things to click.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table:\u00a0 Don\u2019t want to predict any teams fate.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Watching every player in our own team to personally improve on last year which will hopefully push us up the league table.\u00a0 Don\u2019t want to put the spotlight on any other teams’ players.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To get a better point total than last year, blood some of the club\u2019s youngsters, and a good cup run in either the county cup or Alan Mayhew.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? Difficult to predict as the selectors will have new ideas to get across. Everyone at Burway wishes the new selectors all the best, and hope that the Crosfield cup is won under there reign.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club – Bylet<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Captain – Scott Harries<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Players Signed – Nick Lewis (Burway) and Tim Ealey back full time.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Players Left – Rob Steventon (Year out due to personal \/ family reasons.)<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thoughts On The Top Of The Table – Expecting another tight tussle from the top 3 of Castlefields, Newport & SJB.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dark Horses – Newport. It’ll be interesting to see how all the new players settle in, after just falling short last year I’m sure they will be close again this time around.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thoughts On The Bottom Of The Table – Always a tough one to predict this. There can easily be 6-7 teams fighting it out down there. Will be interesting to see what Highley bring to the league this season and also how Hanmer respond to being invited back in after their relegation.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Player To Watch (Own Team And Another) – I don’t like singling players out really as it’s always a team effort from my lads but if I had to pick one I’d pick Dan Davies, joined part way through last year and was tremendous for us. Far too many players to pick any out from other sides, I’ll let them take care of themselves.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Aim For My Team – To improve on last season, break into the top half of the table for the very first time and hopefully have a good cup run. It’ll be tough as ever in this league but we are a work in progress and last year we showed we can mix it with anybody. A summer like last year would be great and would keep our green a real weapon again this season. If we can all get 1-2 points more individually than we got last season then we are onto a winner.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
How Do You Think Shropshire Will Do This Year Under The New Selectors – Fingers crossed we can do well but it’s a real tough group to be in. Giants Yorkshire will be the game that determines how our campaign will go first game up so it’s important we get that one right. North Lancs & Fylde will be no pushovers with lots of quality in their ranks and let’s hope Cumbria don’t use that stupid thing Lindal for us.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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Club: Castlefields<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Alan Peach<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Tom Palmer and Andrew Judson both playing full time this season<\/p>\n

Players Left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: probably be the usual candidates with Newport strengthening their squad and with\u00a0 Hanwood signing more players they should be pushing this year and Castlefields of coarse.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Hard to say as I dont know who as strengthened and who as lost players so wont know really<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Don’t really want to put any unnecessary pressure on any body so I will pass on that one<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To try and retain the league and like any other top club try and win every competition\u00a0 you enter, I know it will be hard to emulate last seasons success as teams around us have strengthened but with the squad of players we have a good mix of young and experienced players all used to playing at the highest level and with our team spirit hopefully we can win some thing this season<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? Really hard to say at this time of the season as I don’t know what team they have picked, but i’m sure they will do a job and with a bit of luck bring back the Crosfield cup to Shropshire<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Chester Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Paul Fowles<\/p>\n

Players signed: Andrew Davies (Woore), Alex Lockett (Adderley)<\/p>\n

Players left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Castlefields<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: 4 or 5 teams may be involved this season.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Chris Stretch and Nicky Jones (Ifton)<\/p>\n

Aim for my Team: To finish in the top 10 would be a good effort.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do under the new selectors: Hopefully reach Semi Finals then see what happens<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Hanmer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Dave Ellison<\/p>\n

Players signed: Matty Worden, Matt Beeston (District), Andy Armstrong (Ifton)<\/p>\n

Players left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Hanwood to pip Castlefields<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Newport<\/p>\n

Thoughts on bottom of the table: No thoughts after last season.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Jack Hewitt and Andy Moss (Chester Road)<\/p>\n

Aim for your team: To stay off the bottom<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do under the selectors: Hopefully well and get to another Crosfield Cup final.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Hanwood<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captains: Mark Shore, Ash & Glyn Wellings<\/p>\n

Players signed: Simon Lane (Ludlow Castle), Rich Lawson (Bowring)<\/p>\n

Players left: Dan Wornell (Telepost)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Will be close between Newport and Castlefields<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Sir John Bayley<\/p>\n

Thoughts on bottom of the table: Unless Hanmer strengthen they will struggle again and Highley will find it tough first season in the league.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): For us Simon Lane I think can make the step up and impress. Harry Church at Sir John Bayley if he plays a full season will do well.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team: To get as close to the top as possible and have good runs in the cups.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors: Will be an interesting season for the county and if green selection is good, I think we can win it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Highley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captains: Ben Dixon & Stu Gittings<\/p>\n

Players signed: Reece Farr & Jack Hill (Bowring), Dave Scriven, Craig Barker & Dave Hayward<\/p>\n

Players left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Newport<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on bottom of the table: We will be having a good go, so will be interesting to see who else the bottom half teams bring to the table.<\/p>\n

Players to watch: Darrell Handley & Danny Statham<\/p>\n

Aim for your team: To give it our best on and off the green from 1st to last game and make last year’s hard work worthwhile.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors: 3rd in Group!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Ifton<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Dickie Jones<\/p>\n

Players signed: Graham Rogers & Ian Dutton<\/p>\n

Players left: Andy Armstrong (Hanmer)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Castlefields, Newport & Hanwood<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on bottom of the table: Any of 4 could finish bottom.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Sam Williams and Rich Lawson (Hanwood)<\/p>\n

Aim for your team: Finish mid table<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors: With Shropshire’s pool of quality players and green to choose from I think they should be looking ton win their group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Meole Brace<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Andy Wigginton<\/p>\n

Players signed: John Nash (back after an operation), Will Tyler (Elephant and Castle), Ade Jennings (from Tanners side)<\/p>\n

Players left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on top of the table: Castlefields<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on bottom of the table Hamner<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Tim Jordan and Adam Jones (Castlefields)<\/p>\n

Aim for your team: To keep the squad happy and maybe mid table finish<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Newport<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Sam Millward<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Players signed:\u00a0Josh Bradburn, Dave Lloyd & Ayden Smith (Bowring),\u00a0Stuart Clee (Wrockwardine Wood),\u00a0Matthew Rhodes (St Georges) & Callum Mitchell<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Players left: None<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thoughts on top of the table: Think the winners in the previous season always start as favourites, hopefully us and other teams towards the top can run them a bit closer this time round.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Thoughts on the bottom of the table: It\u2019s always hard for a newly promoted side to stay in the league so I think Highley will do well to push up the table although they have made some good signings so will no doubt surprise a few. All the best to them and welcome to the league.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Player to watch (own team and another): Tom Langford to have a good year in his 2nd season at the club.\u00a0Hoping Harry Church does well at Sir John Bayley, could get a few scalps this season.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Aim for your team:\u00a0 To just keep improving on our points tally from last year and see where that gets us.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
How do you think Shropshire will do under new selectors: I think Shropshire going back to 4 selectors is a good thing and hopefully our best possible side will be available for the games ahead.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Club: Sir John Bayley<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Captain: Chris Worthington<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Harry Church (Sinclair)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Elliot McGuiness, Ant Bracken<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: With all the new signings Newport will certainly fancy themselves as favourites and have to be in with a shout, just depends if they gel. However Castlefields will take some moving.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Sir John Bayley. We\u2019ve got the strength to challenge, just depends on the depth during the holiday season and with a couple of young players who are only going to improve the futures looking bright.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Hanmer<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Josh Hale, young lad with plenty of potentially, he could win something big one day.\u00a0Dave East, had a few seasons on Highley and done it all in Staffs, will have a point to prove in Shropshire.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To improve on last season\u2019s league performance and take home another trophy.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? Got to say win it haven\u2019t I? Some new faces, the away side will be strong<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: St Georges<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captains: John Cooke, Dave King, Andy Morgan, Tony Rhodes<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Aaron King, Martin Gaut & Robert Roden (Bowring), Michael Wainwright returns.<\/p>\n

Players Left: Nick Wyer back to HUSC, Ian Gaut (taking 12 months off).<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: You cant really see past Newport, firstly due to Rhoders (behind the scenes of course\/it wasn\u2019t me I didn\u2019t ask anybody) winter recruitment even though Sam appears not to know its happened, and Castlefields who will again I suspect have their local talent supported by their wider squad.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: I can\u2019t really see any. Will Hanwood figure more closely?<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Interesting as Hanmer I believe have strengthened, Highley will come in in decent shape but how strong are they? Who knows will Wem be pulled down? Who knows, interesting times.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Really looking forward to seeing Aaron King get back to that position that had him in the county squad a couple of years ago, and Ash Wellings (Hanwood) to do something this year.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? We finished the \u2018best of the rest\u2019 last year in 4th<\/sup> and well deserved with some great performances and gritty displays. Realistically, 3rd<\/sup> must be the starting aim and then all else is a bonus.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? Well you cant\u2019 say there\u2019s not experience in the selection and I hear early meetings have been really positive. For me, green selection again is key, particularly when for the last 2 campaigns, we may have kept top greens back and then never got around to using them. Out the group first, through the semi and then reflect on where to go me thinks. I believe we now have a wider group of options to chose from.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Wem USC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Scott Thomas<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Fred Bailey and George Williams back full time<\/p>\n

Players Left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields will take some stopping but Newport will push them all the way.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood \u2013 They\u2019ve made some good signings over the winter<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: It\u2019s going to be tight again. There could be up to four or five teams sucked into a relegation battle.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Own team \u2013 Curtis Metcalfe \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Other \u2013 Adam Jones<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To have a season with no drama and make it into Pool A at the end of the season.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? Hopefully they\u2019ll do better and the younger players will continue to improve<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Wrockwardine Wood<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Rob Jones<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Jamie King (Bowring)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Stuart Clee (Newport)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Will be close between Castlefields & Newport<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: No one, I don\u2019t see a surprise team this year.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Hanmer<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Score as many points as we can and see where that lands us in September.<\/p>\n

How do you think Shropshire will do this year under the new selectors? They have an excellent group of players to choose from. Using the greens at their disposal has seemed the issue of late.<\/p>\n

\n

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

See below the captain’s previews of all 14 teams ahead of the season. Thank you to all captains for providing me with this, think it may be the first time all 14 have given me virtually everything I asked so I appreciate that! Club: Burway BC Captains: Ben Allen\/Jesse James (Joint Captains) Players Signed:\u00a0 Harry …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[113,38],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5VaGi-2GC","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=10330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10333,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10330\/revisions\/10333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}