County bowlers charge to final

Super Shropshire stormed into the final of the Endsleigh British county bowls championship with a performance that reached a crescendo to blow North Midlands away.

After a difficult start, they eventually swept to victory by 28 chalks overall to move a massive step closer to only a second ever Crosfield Cup triumph.

This time it was the home team that did the business, delivering 11 winners out of 12 games at Old Shrewsbury No 1 yesterday to exceed expectations with a 53 shot success.

"The lads were absolutely brilliant," said elated selector in charge at home, John Nash.

New All England champion Callum Wraight produced a real showman's performance to win 21-11 at No 2, but the home lead after four was only seven.

And with two single figure losers and only Charlie Weaver (21-19) winning away at Dunlop No 2, North Midlands looked in control.

Despite two winners away in the middle four the deficit in Coventry rose to 39, but Shropshire's homesters were slowly starting to turn the screw as the sun shone and the green quickened.

Dave Hoffman led the way with 21-13 and debutant Mike Dulson got over the line too with a 21-18 card in the middle as the advantage stretched to 23 – still 16 behind overall.

But it was Paul Williams' stunning 21-6 card at No 11, allied to fine wins by Andy Duckett and last man Wayne Rogers, that had Shropshire soaring on the banks of the Rover Severn.

They were playing as improved news about the back four in Dunlop spread like wild fire, Colin Beaman (21-12) and Alan Palin (21-13) leading a fine fightback that cut the deficit to 25 and sealed the ticket to the final.

There Shropshire will face Yorkshire – who beat Cheshire in their semi-final – on Sunday, September 6 . . . and they can't wait!

By MALCOLM FLETCHER