Goddard beats his stepson to make it a hat-trick on Shropshire bowls' biggest day

Once, twice and now three times a County Merit champion – but this one was extra special for Rich Goddard.

The 64-year-old Castlefields bowls star put the icing on a memorable day at Bicton by beating stepson and team-mate Callum Wraight 21-18 in a captivating final.

“This one means a lot to me as I’ve won it three times, but this is the first time in Shrewsbury,” said Goddard, had punched the air with both arms at his moment of triumph in the Sunday evening sunshine.

He was referring to his previous triumphs at Norton in Hales in 2003 and Craven Arms in 2014 and finished his thank you speech by wishing partner Tracey Wraight a happy birthday for Monday.

She hadn’t known which way to turn as Goddard and her son - the county No.1 who had started the day as clear favourite to add to his own three titles at a venue where he had won it before – went toe to toe in the final.

Goddard was soon 10-5 up but then had to produce a decisive burst to go from 14-12 down to 19-14 ahead before staying calm as Wraight made one last push on a green that had quickened all afternoon in the sunshine and accompanying breeze.

It had not been an easy ride for 8-1 shot Goddard who, after a winter health scare, beat fellow Merit winner Rich Lawson 21-20 for starters, edged to a same score success over Will Childs in the quarter-finals and had had to play well to see off another past champion in Jack Hewitt 21-17 in the semi-finals.

For Wraight it was the fourth time he had lost in a County Merit final and, on reflection, his gamble to change to slightly lighter bowls due to the quickening conditions before his 21-19 semi-final success over Dan Taylor may not have been the right call.

All the last four will fly the flag for Shropshire in the British Merit finals on Saturday, July 25, at the Northern Club in Crosby, and Goddard - £300 richer and with the Charles Beddard Trophy back in his possession – will hope that’s another special day.

Bicton on Sunday certainly was for County President Andy Jones, the eight recipients of Unsung Hero awards, big crowd and a stalwart of Shrewsbury bowls who had finally triumphed on his home patch.

British Veterans Merit

Three Shrewsbury-based bowlers are in the hunt for a British title close to home tomorrow – but only two of them representing Shropshire.

Julian Cooke (Meole Brace) and Dave Nicholls (Albert Road Exiles) came through the county qualifier for the British Veterans Merit finals at Prees (10am).

But Monkmoor’s Keith Wall is also in the 32 gunning for the Isherwood Trophy at the village club near Whitchurch, representing Wales.

Premier Leaguer Cooke faces Andrew Jarrold (North Lancs & Fylde) for starters, Nicholls is also in the top half of the draw against Gill McAleney (Merseyside) while Wall takes on John Coupe (North Lancs & Fylde) in round one.

Shropshire Cup

Bridgewater are riding the crest of a wave in the Shropshire Cup.

The Whitchurch club’s bowlers defeated past winners Castlefields in style to reach the semi-finals of the 10-a-side knockout for non-Premier players.

Mathew Lucas (21-5) was the best of their eight winners on Bowring No.2 in a 56 chalk win while on the Wellington club’s No.1 green, favourites Sinclair saw off Shifnal by 42 with Jordon Millman a 21-7 leader of the pack.

Closest quarter-final tie on a hot night was Horsehay’s eight chalk margin against Trench at Albrighton, where Gareth Jones tipped the scales with a 21-2 card, while fellow Mid Shropshire Leaguers Newport were handed a walkover by Greenfields.