Armstrong stretched to the limit in final of the Dennis Lewis Open

Some late resistance in the final could not stop Andy Armstrong’s march to the title in the £1,600 Dennis Lewis Open in Telford.

The Castlefields bowler, now playing for Shropshire in the County Championship, was 19-10 up on Josh Cotton in the crunch game on the No.1 green at the Sir John Bayley Club.

But try as he might, the Wrockwardine Wood man could not stop Armstrong from winning 21-18 and receiving the trophy from competition sponsor June Lewis.

Armstrong had beaten clubmate and reigning Champion of Champions Ash Wellings 21-19 in Sunday’s semi-finals while Cotton beat last year’s winner and fellow Wrockite Sam Millward 21-8.

Proud promoter Rob Burroughs said: “It was a great day of bowling at the Bayley - I never thought I’d get 64 in a one-dayer, but reducing the entry fee to £10 has achieved that and maybe this is why competitions aren’t filling so much

“Thank you to June Lewis for her continued support in honour of her husband Dennis, who was a legend of Shropshire and North Midland bowls and it’s an honour to run this competition in memory of him.

“Well done to Andrew Armstrong on winning and commiserations to Josh Cotton who had a late fightback. Add to the fact that we had Ash and Sam in the semi-finals and we had four young lads who deservedly play for the county.”

Quarter-final scores – Millward 21 Luke Boniface 10; Cotton 21 James Grimston 9; Armstrong 21 Martin Williams 12;Wellings 21 Darren Plenderleith 19.

Edgmond Summer Open

Peter Farmer had good reason for missing Sinclair’s official team photograph before their Mayhew Trophy final triumph – he’d been busy all day winning the Edgmond Summer Open.

The four-time County Merit winner came through a 32-strong field in the one-day competition at the village bowling club near Newport on Saturday before rushing to Wem to win again in Sinclair historic win over Castlefields.

Farmer beat Welshman Gareth Hughes to take the £250 first prize after what promoter Sarah Glenholmes described as “a very nip and tuck final” on Edgmond’s superb green.

“Well done Mr Farmer on a great win. We saw some great bowling again and we thank all the entrants, members and supporters for their continued support.”

Next for the club is the Richard Chester's Memorial Charity Day in aid of Prostrate Cancer on Sunday, June 14 (10.30am start), entries in the open singles knockout costing £5 and all the money going to the charity.

Meanwhile, Ifton’s Craig Griffiths won the £1,200 Johnstown Open on Saturday night thanks to a 21-16 card against Cheshire’s Owen Cookson.

Woore’s Liam Jones got 19 against Griffiths in the semi-finals and promoter Rhys Griffiths said: “This comp will definitely be returning for 2027, along with an end of season floodlight doubles with the same format.”

County Cup

Shrewsbury club Greenfields is the place to be for bowls fans tonight with a double dose of County Cup action on offer.

Woore and Horsehay stage a repeat of their Premier League play-off final of October on the No.2 green while over the path, on the flatter No.1, former Premier champions Newport hope to shock Adderley.

Both 12-a-side ties are expected to be close on a night when quarter-final places are at stake.

Glynn Hill Trophy holders Sir John Bayley tackle Highley at Stockton and record winners Castlefields face Hanmer at Donnington Wood in another all-Premier tie.

Tonight’s other cup contests are – Wem USC v St Georges (at Shelton); Sinclair v Bylet (Maddocks); Hanwood v Wrockwardine Wood (Tilstock); Burway v Prince of Wales Hotel (Charlton).