Double blow for Prees
The Premier League aspirations of Prees have suffered a double blow - before the play-offs have even started. The Premier League aspirations of Prees have suffered a double blow - before the play-offs have even started. Two key members of the Market Drayton League champions will miss tomorrow's opening pre play-off tie with Burway at Bowring. Brian Hickson and Pete Grocott are both unavailable for the 7pm showdown with the Ludlow League winners, the start of the trail to the play-off final itself against Childs Ercall next Friday. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Two key members of the Market Drayton League champions will miss tomorrow's opening pre play-off tie with Burway at Bowring.
Brian Hickson and Pete Grocott are both unavailable for the 7pm showdown with the Ludlow League winners, the start of the trail to the play-off final itself against Childs Ercall next Friday.
But Prees captain Matt Blackhurst was in philosophical mood when I caught him on the way out for more practice.
"We are two players down, and they are two of our better players, but we have just got to go and try our best," he said.
Prees, having won the 10-a-side Drayton league, had already been forced to draft in two other players - and their cause is not helped by the Premier's men-only rule which means Joan Groom cannot play.
"We are going to have a meeting tonight to see who we call in, but it's all good experience and we have got to treat it like a learning curve. We have got nothing to lose," added Blackhurst.
He's had Premier experience with Chester Road, but the absences of Hickson and Grocott surely make Burway favourites to win tomorrow night's opener.
The Ludlow side are unable to play Claire Williams and young skipper Russell Davies won't be taking anything for granted after they failed to live up to the favourites tag in the County Consolation Cup final against Hanwood.
"We don't know much about Burway or the Ludlow League because it is a long way away from us.
"But we know Wayne Rogers plays for the county, so we know he's going to be good," admitted Blackhurst.
"And we know a bit about the Bowring green because we have spoken to Dave Gourlay and Tom Cooper who played for AWC there a couple of weeks ago
"They have told us to try and play over the crown because if you get a one yard bowl it's difficult to beat."
By MALCOLM FLETCHER