County aces backed for Crosfield glory

The ringing endorsement came from Derbyshire’s team manager at Wem USC, Calvin Jackson, after they had been beaten both home and away by 79 shots overall on Sunday.

A stunning eight winners in the away leg at Washlands in Burton produced a 29-shot winning margin that Shropshire’s home side added to with another powerful late push to come out on top by 50.

That added up to top spot in the final qualifying group two table with a 100 per cent record – and a semi-final shot at North Midlands next month after they beat last year’s Crosfield Cup winners Yorkshire by 40.

And Jackson was quick to admit at the post-match ceremony at Wem USC: “You guys have destroyed us in our home leg.

“The game here was excellent but our performance petered out with the bad news coming from Washlands. I wish Shropshire all the very best for the semi-final – I’m sure you will go one step further than last year.”

That’s when Shropshire lost by a mere five shots to Yorkshire in the final, but selectors Mick Jones and Mark Thomas have successfully got this year’s squad to banish that memory and perform with a real determination.

That was clear to see at Wem where Glyn Herbert’s much needed 21-9 card at No.2 gave them a decent base in a first four that saw man of the match Martin Lloyd beat Andy Spragg in a class battle and one of Callum Wraight’s fires fly over the wall and onto the adjoining Leek Street.

Andy Moss and Ash Wellings scrambled vital chalks when in trouble in the middle and Adie Rowe won from 18-11 down before a clean sweep of the back four put the icing on the cake.

A shared first four away was followed by Peter Grimston starring in three wins in the middle plus another three at the back, featuring Mid Shropshire Merit winner Paul Reeves completing a 24 hours to treasure with a 21-7 card.

County deputy president Isobel Jones summed it at Wem USC when she said: “I’m just very pleased that Shropshire have won again.”