County are best of British again

Thirty five years of heartache are finally over - Shropshire are British county champions again.

For the class of 1974 read the graduates of 2009 after a day that could not have gone much better had it been scripted.

Once-mighty Yorkshire were blown away by a home and away victory by 44 chalks overall that will send shock waves around the crown green world.

For the way the county's current kings achieved only Shropshire's second Crosfield Cup triumph was as convincing as it was clear cut.

From the second All England champion Callum Wraight bowled a toucher with his first bowl on Meole Brace No 2, to the moment home captain Glyn Herbert got his hands on the elusive trophy three hours later, there had been hardly any cause for concern.

To win by 34 at home and terrific 10 away says it all.

It was admittedly tense early on at the Waterloo in Huddersfield, but a first four battle to stay within touching distance at only 20 behind was soon put right by 21-11 cards for that allegedly bad traveller Wayne Phillips and Martin Lloyd in the middle.

The away party must have been buoyed too by what was happening back at Meole.

Simon Parsonage shrugged off the sombre mood after a minute's silence for former British president Mel Higham of Wales - who passed away yesterday morning - with a brilliant 21-4 card, revelling in the banter with the away fans.

Herbert was not far behind, hammering one of the giants of the game in Lee Lawton to eight.

A first four lead of of 24 was soon rising fast as Clay Flattley led the way with 21-11 card that helped take the advantage up to a fabulous 40 after eight.

The news from Yorkshire was getting even better with Alan Palin winning 21-12, away team captain Derek Wright delivering, as he said he would, with a 21-16 win and Ian Gaut winning to 18 from 8-3 down.

Incredibly, it was all over well before the end, confirmed as mathematically certain . . . Shropshire had won the Crosfield Cup for the first time since 1974.

And Yorkshire's hopes of salvaging some consolation with a huge win for their legend, past Meole Open winner Bob Hitchen, disappeared too as No 12 Wayne Rogers battled every inch to get 15 from 13-3 down.

But this was not a day about individuals, even though Wraight was understandably disappointed that 40 hours of practice had only earned him 11 against British No 1 Graeme Wilson.

No, this was the day that will live long in the memory as the one when Shropshire refused to be overawed, played to their undoubted capabilities and fulfilled their talent -as a team.

Sadly, there was little time to celebrate as more than half of the team were soon offÊto the Isle of Man September Festival.

But they go there as the new best of British.

By MALCOLM FLETCHER