Bowls round-up: Shropshire bowler the favourite for Panel success again
Being champion of it last year means Shropshire bowls king Callum Wraight is the 5/4 on favourite to rule the Potteries Panel again, writes Malcolm Fletcher.
The Castlefields legend opens the 2025 Panel in its new ‘Champions League’ format at Biddulph on Thursday night with a double-header against Gary Owen and then Premier League rival Andy Armstrong (Ifton).
At stake is a £4,000 prize pot with £1,000 going to the winner on April 10 when the top eight will battle it out on the artificial green.
Wraight warmed up for the launch by winning his Cash Challenger clash with Matt Fellows 24-12 at the same venue last week and is clearly in the right mood to try and beat his record of 27 competition titles in 2024.
Tonight also sees Armstrong start with a tie against Adam Jackson while fellow Panel debutant Danny Williams (Sinclair) takes on Adam Coxon and Alex Hassall faces Ant Lloyd.
Hassall lost his Challenger match against Martin Simcock 22-15 and Williams went down 24-14 to Mark Lunn, but Armstrong saw off Bylet’s Joe Dicken 26-14.
“The Cash Crowd Challenger games were a great success with over 4.500 views on line,” said promoter Laura Browny.
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Shropshire Cup winners Hadley USC lead the latest round of bowls club annual meetings on Friday.
The Telford club’s Mid Shropshire League title challenge faded towards the end of last season but skipper Nick Wyer still topped the division one averages.
Premier Leaguers Hanwood have their AGM on Tuesday, February 4, at the Cock Inn at 7pm while Baschurch’s annual call is on the same night at 7.30pm in their clubhouse.
St Georges are keen to recruit new members in the countdown to a vital AGM on Friday, February 7, at 7.30pm in the concert room at the Sports & Social Club.
