Bowls club pulls its A team after player exodus

Adderley stormed to success in the County Consolation Cup final in August.

But they have been rocked by the news that many of the side that went on to finish runners-up in the Market Drayton League won't be playing for the club on Friday nights this year.

"It's true, I'm afraid, and we are very disappointed," confirmed Adderley secretary Wendy Icke, who is also results secretary of the Drayton league.

"But what can we do? It's up to the players where they play."

The result is that Adderley have decided to withdraw their A team from division one of the Market Drayton League, that side having finished second to champions Hanmer A for four consecutive years.

That withdrawal has robbed the club of two cracking nights this year as Adderley B, captained by Icke, have won two successive promotions to reach the top flight and were looking forward to doing battle with the A team.

"It's A team players who are going, so that's the team we are pulling out," stressed Icke. "We heard the rumours about players leaving and that's why we called a members meeting and then a committee meeting. We will carry on the best we can.

"The annoying part is that all the players who are leaving on Fridays are staying to play for us in the Whitchurch League on Tuesdays."

Some of the Adderley A stars are understood to be joining Shawbury-based Elephant & Castle for their return to the first division of the Tanners Shropshire League on Fridays.

But for a points deduction for a rule infringement, Adderley A would have been Market Drayton League champions in 2014 and had a crack at the Premier League play-offs.

A club member who did not wish to be named said: "After many years gradually progressing Adderley Bowling Club, these actions have left the club greatly embarrassed and bitterly disappointed.

"It is most surprising for a club that has shown considerable momentum in recent years.

"This has left a bitter taste within the club and created a difficult situation for those remaining."