Shropshire sink in bowls championship

It was a horrible case of déjà vu for Shropshire – as their Drakes Pride Junior County Championship hopes were sunk by Warwick & Worcester for the second year running.

The two teams met in last year's final, but it was at the semi-final stage that the Shropshire juniors fell short this time around.

They lost by 61 shots over the two legs on Sunday, going down by 73 at The George in Oldbury and only pulling 12 of those back at home at the Sir John Bayley.

That left the county selectors to reflect on another brave effort – and the rebuilding job to come. "Warwick & Worcester still have more depth than us," said Dennis Lewis.

"They bowled the Sir John Bayley top green extremely well and they chose a very difficult green at The George.

"We lost about 12 players from the junior ranks last year and this year we're losing another 10, so that is a lot of experience going out of the side.

"We have a lot of young players with potential but not with experience, but they will get that over the next two or three years, and then we will be a force to be reckoned with again."

Rob Roden was the man of the match in the home leg at the Bayley, the Bowring youngster winning his game 21-5.

Chelsea Gregory of Hadley USC also shone in only her second game for the county side, defeating Ashley Heath 21-13.

Over at The George, Anthony Price of Ford put in a terrific performance in the first four, winning 21-12 with seven twos.

In the middle, Ben McCormick debuted with a big lead but eventually dipped out 21-20, while Anna Preece was very solid in a 21-17 win over Chris Kington.

But there was otherwise little to lift Shropshire, who were forced to contend with a lot of vocal support from the home crowd who created something of a bear pit atmosphere.

"It was a disappointing result, but the deficit away would have taken some pulling back at home," added Lewis.

"We won this title three years ago and lost in the final last year and now in the semi-finals this year, so that's not a bad record.

"In fact, we've always been in the semi-finals or the final for the last five years, and that can't be bad.

"Hopefully, a lot of these players can go on in the game, and hopefully push to get in the county first team one day."

By CHRIS HUDSON