Callum Wraight makes a great return

He took on British Professional Panel specialist Neil Bithell on the second day of play at the Red Lion, Westhoughton, on Tuesday afternoon and beat him 41-34.

“It was an amazing start to be fair,” said the delighted Shrewsbury-based British No.1. “I’m really pleased with that win as Neil very rarely loses on there and it’s not often the bookies don’t have me as favourite so it’s always nice to prove them wrong.”

A couple of hours practice the day before was Wraight’s only preparation after nearly five months kicking his heels due to the pandemic, but his engagements come thick and fast from now on.

“I’m back on the Panel next Friday (APR 9) but this Sunday I’ve been asked to play in a one-day eight man invitation comp in Stoke at Norton Central, which is where I won a doubles title last year with Neil Wright,” added the Castlefields bowler.

Meanwhile, another Shropshire bowls league has started working on plans to resume fixtures this summer.

Highley League chairman Mark Bennett has been in talks with president and vice-chairman John Palmer about a proposal to re-start action.

“The plan is to get Highley League action started in late June,” said Bennett.

“It all depends on entries and we may look at three divisions and probably eight-a-side matches.”

The league, founded in 1960, had 13 member clubs from Bridgnorth area in 2019, with two 10-a-side divisions competing on Tuesday nights.

But there is still no announcement regarding the 2021 campaign from the Wem League and its five divisions of teams, vice-chairman Ian Payne saying: “There’s nothing on that yet.”