Five keen to enter Oswestry League bowls league

Five new teams are up election to the Oswestry League at its AGM at Whittington Cricket & Bowls Club (7.30pm) – and only two have withdrawn. Chirk D, Overton C and Ponciau Park B have all applied to join Division Six of the eight-a-side league while Bersham and Ponciau Park want to enter the veterans set-up which has two divisions playing on Friday afternoons.

Church E from Division Six and Plas Kynaston from the veterans are the two sides to have withdrawn, leaving the league with a strong looking set-up for 2017.

And the extra revenue the new sides will produce will be welcomed by league treasurer Gwynfor Hughes as he reports a profit of just under £40 on last year. Income was down by £545 but expenditure was reduced by virtually the same amount due to a reduction of £502 in prize money, Hughes explaining: "Adjustments had to be made in order to compensate the amount received in entry fees."

Hughes also reports that Oswestry officials have been informed by county chiefs that their veterans divisions will have to be treated as a separate league in future so match fees in the two divisions may have to rise to 50p to cover the extra cost.

Mel Jones, who is continuing as fixture secretary, will give his last report as general secretary but will tell delegates: "I am confident you will be in safe hands as Pam Manley has agreed to take on the role."

He also praised Trevor Roberts for 'doing a fantastic job organising competitions and the presentation evening'.