Shropshire Star

Magnificent seven reach Masters finals

A magnificent seven of this weekend’s County Merit finalists kept their fine form going by qualifying for the climax of the Midland Masters.

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And two of them –Wayne Rogers and Colin Beaman – are past winners of the Merit who will be among the favourites come the 11am start time for this year’s championships at Pontesbury on Sunday.

Meole Bace star Beaman, Merit champion in 1995, qualified at Battlefield, beating reigning Midland Masters champion Callum Wraight 21-9 on the way after leading 17-1 at one stage.

Current County Merit champ Rogers booked his ticket to the Masters finals at Florence in Stoke in September by beating Burway rival Kiah Roberts 21-19.

The other members of the magnificent seven were Bowring duo Rich Lawson and Josh Bradburn, St Georges pair Tony Rhodes and Ian Gaut, plus Martin Gaut of Wrockwardine Wood, who is having a sound season on the competition scene. A total of 46 bowlers battled it out in the extreme heat for the 13 tickets to the Midland Masters finals.

At Sinclair, four-time County Merit winner Peter Farmer (Newport) managed to run out from 20-14 down against Clay Flattley in the corners to get through.

Taking the eye at Battlefield was Simon Lane of Ludlow Castle, winner of the Tanners Shropshire League Handicap, who was in awesome form to defeat Nick Lewis 21-5 and Craig Wilson 21-9.

Other Masters qualifiers: Wayne Phillips (Hanwood), Scott Moseley (Meole Brace), Nigel Ferrington (Prince of Wales Hotel) and Mark Taylor (Castlefields).

Meanwhile, spectators heading to the Merit finals on Sunday at Pontesbury are reminded not to park on the Nags Head pub car park, but to follow signs directing them to specially dedicated parking areas.

It will be the first finals in charge for new country comps chief Mike Potter while county president Mike Caddick will reveal his Unsung Hero award winner.