League News

Diary Dates
Now that the League’s fixtures have gone live, the finalised 2024 Competition and Team KO dates are now available on this website. They have been emailed to the secretaries of all 27 member clubs with entry deadlines and fees, plus venues if known at this stage. Ahead of the start of the new playing season, all bowlers interested in learning about the …
They’re Live!
We are ready to roll! The fixtures for the 2024 season are now LIVE on the website. And the finalised competition and team knockout dates, entry fees and venues if already known, will be posted by organiser Rob Burroughs today on the relative pages. The Club Contacts for 2024 are now Live too! And big thanks go to webmaster Steve Wall for …
Nearly Ready!
A brand new club and 11 new teams were accepted into the League for the 2024 season at the season-defining March executive meeting. Meole Brace from Shrewsbury were voted into the Dennis Lewis Thursday Division along with the returning Sir John Bayley and B teams from Allscott Heath and Prince of Wales Hotel to give it a perfect 14 sides. Four new …
Time’s Up!
The new 48 hour deadline for new team applications or old team withdrawals before the March executive meeting has passed! And that means fixture secretary John Palmer is able to finalise the proposed divisional structures for the 2024 season. He will be working closely with competition secretary Rob Burroughs to ensure all their dates marry up in what looks like being a …
First Move . . .
The League’s bid give new life to its Saturday Division has been launched. In hibernation since 2019 due to the pandemic, the 4 singles-2 doubles division will have fixtures that start at 2pm. “We already have interest from 4 clubs – Allscott Heath, Charlton, Sinclair and Worfield – in competing as they can see that a minimum of 4 bowlers are needed …
Take Note!
Member clubs have already been given advance notice that League officers are considering holding an extra pre-season meeting ahead of the 2024 campaign. Updating secretaries and team captains – old and new – about the rules passed at the AGM in January is a key reason, but there’s also the issues of safety and safeguarding. And, just as important in terms of …
John’s Joy
Congratulations go to the League’s fixture secretary John Palmer (pictured) who has added yet another string to his bowls bow. John, the Bylet club secretary and chairman and fixture secretary of the Highley League, was elected secretary of the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League at its AGM. Bridgnorth-based John was already serving as its webmaster and is following in the administrative footsteps …
It’s Live!
All the 3 sets of rules by which the League will be run for the 2024 season are now LIVE on this website for all bowlers to see – under the Admin icon. The key changes to bear in mind as the playing campaign approaches is the new 48 hours before the March executive meeting deadline for team applications and withdrawals – …
Tributes Time
Lots of positive feedback has followed the League’s recent annual presentation dinner when two bowlers making title-winning returns to the sport were in the spotlight. League President Mike Potter led the tributes to John Breeze and Ellie Wall as all the 2023 honours were saluted at the function at the West Stand @ TUFC in Wellington. More than 150 people attended on …
Fixtures ’24
Fixture Secretary's report to the 2024 MSBL AGM Good evening everybody. I’ll swiftly cover the past season and then go on to talk about 2024. 2023 all went pretty well, despite some poor weather at times. Very few fines were imposed for rule transgressions. Congratulations to all the clubs that did well and commiserations to those that didn’t.I’d like to take this …
AGM Votes
Hadley USC’s proposal to introduce an extra point for teams winning away from home in divisions 1 to 6 was passed by a 16-6 vote – so they will get 4 points in 2024. But Charlton's amendment for divisions 4 to 6 failed 10-13. The League’s bid to introduce 11-a-side fixtures in division 1 this year was also defeated 7-9. But their …
Votes Aplenty
It’s going to be a numbers game at the League’s AGM tonight (Tuesday 23rd January) at Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club (7pm start). But delegates won’t need to bring their calculators with them – what they have to consider is how the League accommodate the number of teams applying to join it for the 2024 season, the huge number of rule change …
Almost Time!
It’s less than 24 hours to go before the League’s annual presentation dinner, to honour the 2023 prize winners, takes place on Saturday at the West Stand @ TUFC – doors opening at 5.30pm, with the meal served from 6.30. Nearly 160 people are booked in to attend and, although they did not enjoy any major successes last season, it is Bowring …
Nearly There!
Not long to wait now . . . the League’s annual presentation dinner is just two nights away with more than 150 booked in to attend on Saturday at the West Stand @ TUFC, starting at 5.30pm and with the meal served from 6.30. It’s going to be a big night for Newport and Donnington Wood with both having won two divisional …
Prize Parking
CAR PARKING INFORMATION – VITAL FOR ALL PEOPLE ATTENDING THE MSBL PRIZE GIVING DINNER ON SATURDAY 20th JANUARY, starting at 5.3Opm at the West Stand @ TUFC: Guests attending are to park on the football club car park, in any colour bay, entering via Haybridge Road (TF1 2NW) – near the Fire Station – and walk around the stadium down the slope …
First Time!
The brand new clubhouse at Allscott Heath – pictured – will play host to an important pre-season meeting. A meeting of the county executive will be held there on Monday 11th March 11, after a request from Shropshire association chairman Phil Scott. Chris Hayward, the Allscott Heath bowls chairman, said: “We would be more than happy to host this meeting at our …
Mabs’ Magic
Messages of congratulations have flooded in from all over the crown green world after Telford’s Mabel Finnigan was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to bowls. The proud pensioner from Madeley has been overhelmed by the number of phone calls, cards and messages received following the announcement in the King’s New Year Honours list. Widely saluted as the rock of women’s …
Best Wishes!
Out with the old . . . in with the new – here’s to 2024! The officers of the League would like to wish all its bowlers, club officials and their families a very happy New Year and a coming season full of matches played in a competitive but sporting spirit. As already reported, the early signs for 2024 are positive with …
All The Best!
The officers of the League would like to wish all its bowlers, club officials and their families a very happy and healthy Christmas – and a 2024 season full of jack touchers! All the early signs are positive for next year with new team applications already confirmed, others in the pipeline and one sponsorship deal renewed. More than 150 people are booked …
One bidder
The League’s champions of 2022 have been confirmed as sole bidder to take the vacant place in the Shropshire’s Premier League next year. Horsehay are the only club that applied to succeed Chester Road as the 14th team in the 12-a-side Premier for the 2024 season following the Whitchurch side’s resignation. League officers have spent the week since news of the application …