Gaut delighted with Isle of Man success

The proud Wrockwardine Wood bowler won the ladies main singles thanks to a thrilling 21-20 victory over Anita Richardson in the final at Nobles Park in Douglas.

That came 12 months after former Wrockite team-mate Tracy Ryan, now with Meole Brace, won the same title – and just 24 hours after Meole’s Alison Cotton had won the Ladies Tourism crown.

And even though it is four days on from the latest of her many title successes, 58-year Gaut, from Trench in Telford, admitted: “It’s still sinking in yet.

“I had some really tough games along the way and I was thrilled to win it after a few good runs and losing in the final once.

“I did win the Southport Flower Show Ladies Open two years on the run in the 1990s, which was also a big comp with £1,000 for the winner.”

But, alongside her British Ladies Merit crowns of 1985 and 1990, this must rank as Gaut’s finest hour as she opened finals day with a 21-12 card against Caroline Parker.

The only sad note for Shropshire on the day was that her 21-17 semi-final victim was Julie Pearce of Meole Brace – who Cotton had beat 21-20 the day before to win the Tourism title.

Tributes to Gaut & Co flowed all weekend and Shropshire Ladies president Mabel Finnigan said: “I rang Angela on Saturday night and she was over the moon.

“They go to the Festival every year and what they have done this year is marvellous.”

Shropshire successes at the Manx festival did not end there as Bowring’s Jamie King won the mixed doubles with Sarah Fox and the last chance mixed singles with a 21-17 victory over Colin Johnstone.

Gaut’s husband Allan and Nigel Bound were the best performers in the men’s main singles, both reaching the last 16 before Gaut lost 21-9 to Paul Bailey and Bound went out by the same score to Chris Slater.