Ladies hold their nerve for pair of victories on the national stage

Relief was the overriding emotion for both county sides after nail-biting victories in the British Ladies County Championship

For Shropshire’s bowlers, a six-shot win over Wales meant they progressed to next month’s semi-finals while for North Shropshire Ladies, their four-chalk success against Greater Manchester gave them a winning feeling for first time since May 2022.

A close game at Hanwood only gave Shropshire a 23-shot advantage despite eight winners – Sonya Lucas best with a 21-11 card – but late wins by Louise Cotton (21-9) and Wendy Jones (21-18) cut the deficit at Denbigh BC to just 17 to secure both points and top spot in the final qualifying section A table.

“Phew that was close!” admitted Shropshire Ladies president Pauline Wilson. “A great Wales team ran us all the way down to the finishing line but we won in the end.

“Some great bowling on very difficult greens saw our ladies dig deep, work for every point and come out on top.

“Shropshire player of the match at Denbigh was Wendy Jones while Nat Moseley was both Shropshire and overall player award winner at Hanwood.”

North Shropshire, playing at the same time on Sunday afternoon, had a stunning 21-4 win by award-winning Sue Palin away at North Chadderton to keep the margin down to 15 with two more winners at the back.

So a 21-shot win at home at Wem USC proved just enough with homester Mo Corley (21-9) the tops but, after a clean sweep of the first four, it took last-on Molly Harris to fight back from 7-13 down to win 21-15 to seal it.

“We are elated. Everyone played their socks off and there was so much grit and determination from every bowler,” said proud North Shropshire secretary Leah Marshall. “The selectors have used this season in the President’s Cup to help grow the team. This win leaves us finishing the season on a high and meant the world to us.”