Bowring launch their bid to rule the bowls world

Bowring head for Fox Lane in Leyland, near Preston, to take their shot at qualifying for finals day of the World Club Championship.

Led by new skipper Jamie King, they take on South Ramsey (Isle of Man) in their opening eight-a-side tie on green No.2, the winners to go on and face either Coundon (North Midlands) or Lloyds Hotel (Cheshire) on the No.1.

Wellington neighbours Sir John Bayley, the reigning Premier League champions, won their first qualifying tie earlier this month but then missed out on the April 16 finals for the last eight when beaten by Newdigate (North Midlands).

Back in Shropshire, Sunday sees the finals of the county's sole Champion of Champions qualifier, the £4,450 Coors Meole Brace Open from 11.30am.

Another stellar line-up will grace the two greens of the Shrewsbury club – full preview in Saturday's paper.

Also on Sunday, North Shropshire Ladies will complete their 2016 triples competition at Adderley from 11am.

A staggering 14 Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League bowlers go chasing a £1,000 first prize and ticket to the Champion of Champions on Saturday in Wolverhampton.

They make up virtually half the finals day field at the ECC Open run by Telford-based Graham Turner, three men from Premier champions Sir John Bayley being among the qualifiers last weekend.

Skipper and Shropshire regular Tom Roden qualified with easy wins over Ben Gloag (21-9) and Ryan Walters (21-8) before booking his place by edging out David Gwilliam 21-18 in the qualifier.

Team-mates Paul Evans and Scott Simpson soon followed his example, Simpson ending the hopes of Hanwood's Wayne Phillips 21-19.

County interest on finals day (10.30am start) is focused on the bottom half of the draw where there are two all-Shropshire first-round ties plus Castlefields comps kings Callum Wraight and Mike Beer.