Castlefields return to the Harris Cup with a bang

All the latest action from across the county’s bowling greens.

A fine finals night saw Castlefields marked their return to the Harris Cup by winning it for the fourth time as Trench A won a thriller of a Harris Shield climax.

Castlefields captains Steve Peach and, right, Ash Wellings with the Harris Cup and league chairman Chris Hayward | Contributed

placeholder image — Castlefields captains Steve Peach and, right, Ash Wellings with the Harris Cup and league chairman Chris Hayward | Contributed

The Shrewsbury giants won the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire Bowling League’s main team knockout with 15 shots to spare over Premier rivals Wem USC on the old green at Bowring.

Over on the other green and at much the same time on Saturday night it was Trench last man Alasdair Jarvis who held his nerve to secure their two chalk Shield success against Wrockwardine Wood B.

Shield smiles from winners Trench A | Contributed

Andy Armstrong (21-7) put Fields in early control but it took a player of the match award-winning performance from Sally King to recover and win 18 from 16-9 down to ensure that Wem’s late wins from Luke Boniface (21-7) and Colin Smith were not enough.

In the Shield showdown, the second division Wrockites were all square with top flight Trench after the first four and they led by six before No.9 Dave Clayton won 21-5 and Jarvis staved off defeat at 19-11 down to get the shots required.

Mid Shropshire Junior Handicap

Junior Handicap finalists at Bridgnorth, from left: Barnabus Hoyle, Rory Rhodes, league chairman Chris Hayward, Jack Peach and main title winner Jamie Pritchard | Contributed

From breaking his competition title duck to winning two in seven days – it was quite a week for young Telford bowler Jamie Pritchard.

The 13-year-old won the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League’s Handicap singles at Newport and followed up on Saturday by adding the Junior Handicap honour.

That success for the Horsehay bowler came at Bridgnorth where he beat Jack Peach (Castlefields) 13-4 in the final after winning his four round robin group games.

Pritchard defeated Harry Grimston 13-9 in the semi-finals when Peach saw off Finley Pessall 13-7, all four having played in Shropshire’s first British Junior County Championship triumph in 20 years earlier in the season.

The Junior Handicap consolation final was contested by two members of the host club with Barnabus Hoyle winning it 13-7 against Rory Rhodes

A Bridgnorth spokesperson said: “It was a great day of junior bowling as a field of 19 took part and it was great to see so many youngsters all playing together.

“Well done to Rob Burroughs and Brenda Slingo for organising everyone and playing a format where all could have a level of success.”

Shropshire veterans consolation knockout

Wood’s wonders with skipper John Clarke holding the Pete Morris Cars Consolation Shield | Contributed

Having a bye in the semi-finals did not stop Wrockwardine Wood from making it three wins in a row in the Shropshire veterans consolation knockout.

They were allowed a practice after Bylet beat Charlton by 29 shots in the sole semi-final on Monday at Donnington Wood and then got down to work.

And the Wrockites ended up retaining the Peter Morris Cars Shield by winning the six-a-side final by 34 chalks with Allan Gaut (21-13) and Ian Evans (21-12) setting the early tone.

Roger Jones was to be Bylet’s sole winner with a 21-14 card in the final as Tony Garmson (21-9) and skipper John Clarke (21-10) finished the job for the hat-trick heroes.