Josh faces his fears to get over the line - bowls round-up

Fear of falling at the final hurdle was a key factor as Josh Bradburn got over the line in the revamped £6,600 PML Burway Open.

The 2024 County Merit champion claimed a string of super scalps on Saturday at the Ludlow club has he bowled his way to the £1,300 top prize.

Yorkshire star Chris Mordue (21-12) was the 34-year-old Sir John Bayley man’s first victim before clubmate Scott Harries (21-18) and Shropshire king and Burway specialist Callum Wraight (21-16) went the same way.

Then Bradburn had to tackle another Bayley Boy in Dan Taylor in the final, but he shrugged off memories of losing in the recent Shifnal Spring Open final to Stuart Rutter by claiming the top spot on the reserve list for the Champion of Champions with a 21-17 card.

“It was an amazing day,” said Bradburn, from Bratton in Telford. “I felt that if I could play my best I could compete with anyone.”

“Beating Callum is always a massive task as he’s the best player in the game by some margin so I was super pleased with that win,

“Playing Dan in the final was difficult because we are team-mates, but I didn’t want to fail at the last hurdle like I have done in my last few finals so I am over the moon with the win.”

“Josh came through a fantastic field and produced a great performance in the final, defeating Dan Taylor 21-17 to lift the trophy – a huge well done to both players and to all 16 finalists who made it a great day of bowls,” said a Burway spokesman.

Measuring course

More than a dozen bowlers measured up to the task at a special one-day course hosted by Shropshire Premier League club Adderley.

David Williams, the secretary of the British Referees Society, was in charge of Saturday’s promotion that was organised by the North Shropshire association.

“The Measuring Course was a success with 14 attendees,” said Jack Hazeldine on behalf of the association. “It went really well with key elements and rules being explained to the attendees, as well as a practical session measuring different ends and situations.

“Many thanks to Adderley for allowing us to use the green and clubhouse and to David Williams for coming to run the session.”

Mayhew Trophy

Beating Premier League clubs is becoming a habit for Mid Shropshire bowls champions Sinclair.

They are through to the semi-finals of the Premier’s Mayhew Trophy after following up victory over Hanmer with another six home-six away success against Hanwood.

The Telford big guns won by 25 shots at home and 24 away with Conor Chamberlain (21-5) and Jordan Millman (21-11) in the star roles, leading captain Harry Church to say: “It was a great result - the lads were fired up and I think it showed with the result.”

Sinclair will now meet Highley in the last four on Wednesday, April 29, after they beat Meole Brace home and away.

Holders Ifton puled out of their tie with Wrockwardine Wood so it is the Wrockites who will tackle last year’s runners-up Castlefields next week after they beat arch rivals Sir John Bayley by 21 thanks to a late push.