Ladies are back in the British final again

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

The celebrations were fully justified as Shropshire Ladies coped with two lightning fast greens to book another British County Championship final appearance.

Ton-up surprise – Lisa Wilson receives a special presentation to mark her 100th cap from president Pauline Wilson | Contributed

placeholder image — Ton-up surprise – Lisa Wilson receives a special presentation to mark her 100th cap from president Pauline Wilson | Contributed

A full house against North Midlands in the home leg at Sinclair and a performance full of grit on the notorious bottom green at Coundon in Coventry delivered victory by 85 shots overall.

And that means another showdown next month with Yorkshire – who beat them in last year’s final – after they brushed aside Warwick & Worcester by 97 chalks and with 18 winners from the 24 games in their semi-final on Sunday.

Shropshire association president Pauline Wilson, one of the bowlers who came into the side in Telford with so many unavailable, said: “We had a fabulous win over North Midlands, taking a clean sweep on a screaming green at Sinclair while our away team took five games on an equally difficult green.

Double home hero – Sian Skelton gets her rewards from (left) county secretary Louise Cotton | Contributed

“The last game at Coundon didn't go on until 6pm (four hours after the leg started) and it was a great win.”

A shared first four in Coventry saw Sarah Weaver earn the player of the match award for her 21-11 card at No.1, Rebecca Brown taking the Shropshire prize with her 21-14 win in the middle while the ultra consistent Tracy Bound won 21-19 at No.12.

“At Sinclair Sian Skelton took both Shropshire and British Ladies player of the match prizes (she won 215 at No.1) and we were also able to celebrate with Lisa Wilson as she achieved her 100 caps for Shropshire,” added Wilson. “She played her first match against Cheshire in May 1995 and it’s a great achievement, with years to go yet!”

The centurion celebrated with a 21-18 win in the clean sweep while Jodie Taylor (21-4), Emma Duncan (21-5), Pauline Wilson (21-6) and Kate Wainwright (21-8) piled up the points in a 121 aggregate return while five winners away kept the deficit down there to 36.