Shropshire Star

Horsehay pick up rewards of success

Prize money totalling over £6,100 was presented as the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League celebrated the 2018 season at a record-breaking annual dinner.

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And the biggest winners at the Telford Whitehouse Hotel on Saturday night were Horsehay as they pocketed the money from winning three of the league’s eight divisions.

First team captain Pete Burd led the way as Horsehay A won division two to bounce back after relegation 12 months ago – and the 'Hoss' power did not end there as the club's D team won the fourth division for the second year running and, also on Monday nights, the D side topped division six.

A record 218 people were booked to attend the function and close behind Horsehay in the spotlight were Highley, the first division champions after just four years on the Friday night scene, who earlier in the season had won the Shropshire Cup.

The divisional trophies were presented by County President Isobel Jones while reigning County Merit champion Spencer Clarke was also one of the guests of honour who did his bit handing over the awards to the competition winners.

The 46-year-old Sir John Bayley star was given a huge round of applause when formally presented with the Charles Beddard Cup by league president Mike Potter after the agony of losing in two previous Merit finals.

Sinclair’s Harry Church was also saluted after retaining the Shropshire Junior Merit crown, but it was Shifnal’s Joe Killen who was the young star as he received no less than four under-18 trophies, including the county’s Peter Ashton consolation singles cup.

“A record number of 218 guests and league patrons enjoyed a great evening at the Telford Whitehouse Hotel to celebrate the teams and individuals achievements in the 2018 season,” said a proud Potter.

And Jones added: “Your league officers must be doing something right if there are record numbers attending – it is superb.”

St Georges C were also double winners and Senior Merit winner Jamie King picked up the Harris Cup on Bowring's behalf.

League Honours

Division one winners and averages - Highley A; Dave Taylor (Donnington Wood).

Div two – Horsehay A; Jonathan Davies (Shifnal A). Div three – Allscott Heath B; George Law (Albrighton A).

Div four – Horswhay C; John Breeze (Shifnal C). Div five – St Georges C; Ryan Smith (Wrockwardine Wood C). Div six – Horsehay D; Reg Bennett (Madeley Cricket Club D).

Dennis Lewis Thursday div – Newport; Dave Hanson (Elephant & Castle). Saturday div – Sinclair; Chris Hayward (Allscott Heath).

Harris Cup – Bowring; Ashton Cup – St Georges C; Ashton Shield - Hadley USC B.

Senior Merit – Jamie King (Bowring); Under-25 Merit – Sam Millward (Newport); Over-60 Merit – Tony Roche (Sir John Bayley).

Dixon Driscoll Doubles – Ayden Smith & Nick Mullinder (Bowring & Hadley USC); Mixed Doubles – Stuart & Jackie Rutter (Wrockwardine Wood).

Under 15 and Under-18 Merits – Joe Killen (Shifnal); Junior Doubles – Joe & Tom Killen (Shifnal).