{"id":8967,"date":"2018-04-06T01:45:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T00:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?p=8967"},"modified":"2018-04-06T01:49:49","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T00:49:49","slug":"captains-preview-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/?p=8967","title":{"rendered":"Captains’ Preview 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Captain: Jamie King<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Jack Whitehead & Adam Patrick – Moor Lane, Martin Gaut – Wrockwardine Wood, Jack Hill – Highley & Ash Gregory – Hadley USC<\/p>\n

Players Left: John Cooke (St Georges) Kieran Buckley (Bowring)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields are the team to beat again. I know Bayley have lost a few but won\u2019t be far away. I think Hanwood and Newport will be challenging more this year.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: With Hanwoods new signings they will be very strong this year and think they can push Castlefields close.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: I know Bylet have strengthened so think they will be safe again this year. Wem have a good side and good enough to push on and improve from last year. The league is so strong if any team have a few bad weeks they can find themselves bottom of the pile!<\/p>\n

Players to watch (own team and another): The new lads for us Jack Whitehead and Adam Patrick.\u00a0From another club, Rob Perry from Bylet<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Top 3\/4 if we get on a good run then to stay in the race for as long as possible<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Hadley USC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Russ Davies, Duncan Pressley & Ben Allen<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Two Juniors asked to sign on, both county representatives. Steven Burmingham, Ben James<\/p>\n

Players Left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Can’t see past Castlefields again, got strength in depth, good team spirit and home green. SJB will be close by though.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood, if their away form gets better I think there could be a high finish.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: It’s hard to say without seeing who’s signed who. So I will say maybe Bylet?<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Ben Allen & Jolyon Partridge – to improve on last year, both quality.<\/p>\n

Mark Taylor (Castlefields) & Paul Reeves (Sir John Bayley)<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Top 6 would be great! But all players to win at least one more game than last year – would be worth an extra 14 points!<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Ludlow Castle<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain Mick Harries<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Simon Rhodes (St Georges)<\/p>\n

Players Left: None<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club – Castlefields<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain – Alan Peach<\/p>\n

Players signed – Jon Palmer (returning) & Keith Wall (Telepost)<\/p>\n

Players left – Andrew Judson (work commitments)<\/p>\n

Thoughts at top of the table – Hanwood have strengthened so will be a threat, Newport also have a shout with good home green and additions<\/p>\n

Dark horses – Newport<\/p>\n

Thoughts at bottom of the table- with teams at bottom last year adding players more clubs could be drawn in<\/p>\n

Players to watch\u00a0 (own team and another) – Jon Palmer (Castlefields) , Darren Wellings Hanwood, Paul Reeves Newport<\/p>\n

Aim for your team – try and retain the title<\/p>\n

Team to watch for playoffs – Telepost<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Paul Fowles<\/p>\n

Players Signed: None<\/p>\n

Players Left: Alex Lockett<\/p>\n

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

Dark Horses: Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Choice of 4 or 5<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Chris Stretch (Chester Road), Darren Wellings (Hanwood) for most wins<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To perform a lot better than last year’s disappointing season.<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Bridgewater<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club:\u00a0 Hanmer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain:\u00a0 Dave Ellison<\/p>\n

Players Signed:\u00a0 Liam Jones (District), Craig Jones, Joey Williams (Ifton), Chris Edwards<\/p>\n

Players Left:\u00a0 Andy Armstrong (Ifton), Graham Rogers.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: I think Castlefields will win the league again but it would be no surprise to see Hanwood go close followed by Sir John Bayley.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses:\u00a0 Hanwood<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table:\u00a0 I think it could be Bylet with Wem just having enough to stay away from danger this season.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another):\u00a0 Mike Gilpin for ourselves and Michael Beer from Castlefields who was so good on our green and got better and better as the season went on last year.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team?\u00a0 To continue with the momentum we got from the second half of last season and look to break into the top ten.<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues?\u00a0 Hadley USC and Bridgewater<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Mark Shore, Glyn Wellings & Nick Davies<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Colin Beaman, Darren Wellings & Craig Wilson (Meole Brace)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Tony Hotchkiss (Meole Brace tanners), Gary Neal<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields are a very strong side and will take some moving from the top but Newport appear to be back to full strength and following a good season last year I expect them to be challengers. You can never rule out the Bayley either!<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Newport<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: I don’t expect to see Wem at the bottom this time round. It will be interesting to see how Hanmer’s second season goes. It will also be interesting to see how Meole fair with the loss of key players.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Darren Wellings – undoubted quality, different gravy on Hanwood.<\/p>\n

Mike Beer (Castlefields) – they will all want the Champ’s scalp.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? We have signed some quality players but also lost two quality players. We would like to defend our cup success and try to push into the top three. We were 40 points behind Castlefields which is a lot to make up!<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Hadley USC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Dickie Jones<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Andrew Armstrong (Hanmer)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Curtis Metcalfe (Wem USC)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Top three will be Castlefields, SJB & Hanwood<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Bowring<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: After last season there could be 5 or 6 teams who could end up bottom.<\/p>\n

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

Aim for your team? To move forward after a disappointing last season<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Ludlow Castle<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Andy Wigginton<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Jon Lyttle (Hadnall), Kieran Jones (Llanymynech), Tim Jordan & Martin Middleton (Tanners team)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Colin Beaman, Darren Wellings & Craig Wilson (Hanwood), Pete Bound (Wem USC)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Between the big four. 1. Castlefields, 2. Hanwood, 3. Sir John Bayley & 4. Newport<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Won’t be one as the top four will be miles clear. Everyone else playing for 5th place.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Same as last year at a guess, 2 or 3 clubs involved.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Scott Moseley (Meole Brace) & Craig Wilson (Hanwood)<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? After losing 4 top players to try and stabilise team and stay away from the bottom end of the table. Main aim is to have some fun!<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Telepost<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Sam Millward<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Dave Rhodes, Paul Reeves (Sir John Bayley) & Tom Langford (St Georges)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Chris Grocott (Year out)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Hanwood will surely be favourites with the players they’ve signed alongside Castlefields<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Bowring, good young team now<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Meole Brace have to struggle this year with the quality of players they’ve lost<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): I think Paul Reeves will do brilliant for Newport. He plays the green really well and I think he’ll continue his good record in the prem.<\/p>\n

Jack Whitehead for Bowring, class player with a good attitude. I think he’ll have a good season.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Regain our home form and improve on our points tally from last year<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Not sure about the playoffs. Obviously Hadley have lost a few players so I don’t think they’ll be challenging this year. Can’t speak for the likes of Ludlow Castle and Bridgewater, I’m sure if they’ve not lost anyone they’ll be in contention again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Club: Sir John Bayley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captain: Chris Worthington\/Scott Simpson joint Captains<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Elliot McGuiness (Castlefields), Kieran Buckley (Bowring), John Potter (Hadley USC)<\/p>\n

Players Left: Paul Reeves (Newport), Gary Cooper (not playing)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: I believe in its 25th<\/sup> year this will be the toughest season ever, it seems that every team appears to be strengthening, Castlefields surely have to be favourites, but will be tight between 5 teams with Bayley, Hanwood, Bowring, Newport all in the mix.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood are much improved both on and off the green, securing the Pub and a lot of work done on the surroundings and Sprinkler system, morale will be high it all depends on how well they travel especially with the new points system.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Could be a case of second season syndrome for Hanmer, losing Andrew Armstrong and a few others and away teams knowing what to expect out of their green could cost them a few chalks, other teams around them strengthening won\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Jack Whitehead has impressed me over the last few seasons and depending on how often he turns out for Bowring could be a surprise to a lot of teams.<\/p>\n

John Potter having stayed loyal to Hadley after relegation had a good season in the Mid Shropshire league last year just missing out on the league averages having only played 23 games, a consistent player with a good attacking game will be well suited at the Bayley.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? League and County Cup would be nice.<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Could be controversial here, I don\u2019t think anybody will apply this season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Ian Gaut \/ Lewis Scott \/ Dave King \/ Nigel Evans joint captains<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Nick Wyer from Hadley USC<\/p>\n

Players Left: Glyn Picknell & Michael Wainwright taking a year out<\/p>\n

Simon Rhodes to Bylet<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: It\u2019s Castlefields to lose with their squad<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanwood \u2013 Some top quality signings<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: No idea but whoever it is will most likely be too strong to lose a play-off<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Nick Wyer \u2013 First season syndrome we hope<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Improve on last year and to make our home green a fortress again<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Probably Hadley again if they can finish above our second team<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Scott Thomas<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Peter Bound (Meole Brace), Steve Cox, Curtis Metcalfe (Ifton), Carl Preece (Elephant & Castle)<\/p>\n

Players Left: None<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields will be tough to beat but Hanwood will push them all the way.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Newport<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: It\u2019s going to be tight down the bottom. Up to 5 or 6 clubs could get dragged in if they don\u2019t perform at their best.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another):\u00a0Wem USC – Connor Whitehall. He has just won the District Winter League averages with an impressive 12 out of 14 wins.<\/p>\n

Andrew Moss \u2013 He\u2019s a young up and comer with a bright future ahead of him.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? To finish in the top half of the league.<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues?\u00a0Same as last year<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Captain: Stuart Clee<\/p>\n

Players Signed: Dan Bodley, Steve Bodley, Daryl Matkin, Paul Jones, Steve Faulkner<\/p>\n

Players Left: Martin Gaut (Bowring)<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the top of the table: Personally I think Hanwood look very good on paper. With the players they have signed added to what they already had, to go with a fantastic home green which they are very good on I can see them finishing close to, if not top at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Dark Horses: Hanmer with a year under their belt in the league I think will go from strength to strength. Their lads have now had a look at all the greens which can only benefit them and it goes without saying what a superb home green they have which I believe they will have some great results on.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on the bottom of the table: Always tough to call this one. I believe Wem and Bylet have strengthened over the winter and it is such a strong league there could by numerous other teams dragged into the mix.<\/p>\n

Player to watch (own team and another): Player to watch in my own team is Dan Bodley. In my opinion a very good player who will add to us on and off the green! One to watch in the league this year for me is Reece Farr. Had a great first season in the league last year and can only go from strength to strength.<\/p>\n

Aim for your team? Perform to the best of our ability each week, get behind each other and see where it takes us.<\/p>\n

Who will be challenging for the playoffs from other leagues? Not a clue and in my opinion there is no team at the moment that is good enough to get into the premier league, this showed last year with the way the play-off final went.<\/p>\n

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

Club: Bowring Captain: Jamie King Players Signed: Jack Whitehead & Adam Patrick – Moor Lane, Martin Gaut – Wrockwardine Wood, Jack Hill – Highley & Ash Gregory – Hadley USC Players Left: John Cooke (St Georges) Kieran Buckley (Bowring) Thoughts on the top of the table: Castlefields are the team to beat again. I know …<\/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-2kD","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8967"}],"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=8967"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8967\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8969,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8967\/revisions\/8969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8967"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8967"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thespbl.co.uk\/news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8967"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}