County stars celebrating sporting glory

Shropshire enjoyed a wonderful weekend of sporting success as county stars clinched two national titles.

The county's crown green bowlers demolished Yorkshire in their sport's equivalent of the FA Cup. Shropshire were triumphant in the Crosfield Cup, beating a much-fancied Yorkshire side home and away.

The team's campaign ended 35 years of heartache for the county.

The triumph was overseen by the so-called Gang Of Four selection panel, who promised to deliver the title within three years when they first took office. They achieved victory in the final game of their three-year reign.

Meanwhile, county horse rider Oliver Townend completed a remarkable one-two at the Burghley Horse Trials.

Dudleston Heath-based Townend added the title to the Badminton crown he won in May, completing eventing's most prestigious double on Carousel Quest. Standing next to him on the winners' rostrum was Malpas rider Polly Stockton, on Westwood Poser.

Townend became only the third rider since 1988 to complete eventing's famous one-two, following in the footsteps of Ginny Leng and Pippa Funnell.

He said: "I'm still celebrating Badminton, so to win Burghley is amazing."

Stockton, meanwhile, was equally pleased with her second place and said: "I knew he (Westwood Poser) had the ability to do well. But I did wonder if Burghley was a big ask for him."

Townend will now seek to win prestigious events in France and the European Championships, which take place this month.

For full coverage see today's Shropshire Star