Shropshire's Michael Beer wins major bowls title

Five years on from almost stunning the Shropshire bowling world, Michael Beer has a major county title to his name, writes JAMES GARRISON.

Beer was the toast of his home town of Shrewsbury on Monday as he served up a Bank Holiday treat to land the County Handicap crown held jointly at Severnside, Old Shrewsbury and Crescent.

And it was a success that few would begrudge the Castlefields ace after his stunning record as a junior saw him only just edged out by Peter Farmer in the Shropshire Merit final as a 16-year-old at Prees in 2006.

"This was the biggest competition I have won," said the 21-year-old, who won back-to-back Shropshire Junior Merits in 2006 and 2007 and saw off 77 rivals on a typically wet Bank Holiday Monday.

"To be honest, I just went for a day out with some mates. I enjoy playing bowls so thought I would enter and my confidence grew as the day wore on."

That much was clear as, after winning three matches, Beer defeated Wem USC's Mike Fielder in the last eight 21-12, before beating Bowring captain Roy Bradburn to 11.

The £120 first prize was sealed with a final victory over Chester Road's Andy Duckett, but Beer admitted there were mixed emotions over that 21-17 triumph.

"It was quite close all the way through but Andy is one of my big mates so it wasn't the easiest game to play in," he added.

Duckett booked his place in the final by over-powering Simon Parsonage 21-8 in the semi-final.

Quarter-final scores

Andy Duckett 21 Rob Burroughs 10, Simon Parsonage 21 Adam Jones 4, Michael Beer 21 Mike Fielder 12, Roy Bradburn 21 Shaun Bould 8.