Shropshire bowler Colin Beaman ready for title defence in Portugal

Beaman, who plays for Meole Brace in the Furrows Shropshire Premier League, will defend his Portuguese Masters title next week.

The 43-year-old won the event when it was held at the Oceanico complex 12 months ago.

And, although the venue has now been moved to Vilamoura, Beaman is hoping to have another week to remember in a competition which has an expected prize fund of around £8,000.

“It should be a good week and, like last year, we are treating it as a family holiday,” said Beaman, who also represents St Georges in the Midlands Super League.

“It’s a new green so nobody knows who it will suit. But all the big names are there so I will give it my best shot.”

Qualifying for the main event is throughout the week, with Beaman one of eight seeds to progress to next Friday’s finals day.

And he will make the trip in high spirits after winning the Burway Open last weekend and reaching the final of the Midland Masters at the end of last month.

Castlefields duo Callum Wraight and Rich Goddard are understood to be the other Shropshire representatives heading to Portugal.