North Shropshire junior bowlers shine

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

Two junior bowlers had the most to celebrate as the North Shropshire association ran no less than five competitions in one day at Malpas Farmers.

Harry’s honour – Harry Nichols with Jack Hazeldine after winning the Challenge Cup | Contributed

placeholder image — Harry’s honour – Harry Nichols with Jack Hazeldine after winning the Challenge Cup | Contributed

Harry Nicholls of Bridgewater won the Challenge Cup for recent newcomers to the sport, but it was Daniel Barney who grabbed the headlines with a fine four title successes on Saturday.

The Ellesmere bowler, who plays for the club’s Whitchurch League third division side, made off with the Under-15, 18 and 25 Merit trophies and added the Junior Doubles with clubmate Alex Barney.

Ellesmere’s stars – four-timer Daniel Barney and (right) Alex Barney after their Junior Doubles success | Contributed

Nicholls beat Matthew Harvey (Wem USC) 21-18 in the Challenge Cup final after 13 entered – and organiser Jack Hazeldine said: “A very impressive run from Harry, especially as this is his first season and his first singles competitions today.”

Other final scores - Under 25 Merit: Daniel Barney 21 Alex Barney 18; Under 18 Merit: Daniel Barney 21 Myles Fisher (Wem USC) 18; Under 15 Merit: Daniel Barney 21 Evie Barsssngton (District) 17.

Junior Doubles: Alex and Daniel Barney 21 Jack Price and Sam Plant (District) 15.

British Ladies County Championship

It’s crunch time tomorrow for Shropshire as they take on Yorkshire in the British Ladies County Championship final.

The home leg is on the carpet at Allscott Heath (2pm) while the away 12 head to Meltham.

Bowring duo Kate Wainwright and Sue Smith keep their places and play in Yorkshire as Shropshire look to avenge last year’s 15 shot loss in last year’s final after three in a row 2022-2024.

Castlefields have the Free Press Cup and unofficial title of Midland club champions in their sights at finals day at Haunchwood in Coventry as they take on Stretton Anglesey in a 10-a-side clash for the right to meet either Greville Arms or Willenhall Nordley in the final.

North Shropshire also have teams heading into the Black Country for the British Parks’ junior five-a-side championship at Ye Olde Knowle while there are two competitions back in Shropshire.

They are the Tanners Shropshire League’s Centenary Doubles at Old Shrewsbury at 10am - with £100 prizes to go to the winning pair and also their club – and the £450 Ellesmere Open Pairs .

Then on Monday it is the main finals of the Shropshire veterans knockout at Bridgewater in Whitchurch with Castlefields, St Georges, Prince of Wales Hotel and Meole Brace in the hunt for the Wrekin Cup.