Rich Lawson back to his best at the Fleetwood Festival

Rich Lawson has been through a relatively quiet spell since winning the County Merit in 2023, but his class shone through at the Fleetwood Festival.

The Hanwood bowler and his 23-year-old daughter Susie were never far from the headlines during the week-long promotion on the Fylde coast.

Lawson, who has not played for Shropshire’s senior team since 2024, won the Men’s Shield by beating former county colleague Callum Wraight in the final to claim the £350 first prize.

Susie was runner-up to Anne O’Loughlin in the Ladies Main singles to earn £150 and, together, the father and daughter reached the final of the Open pairs, losing to Emily Kernick & Olivia Fishwick

Wraight, who lost in the last eight of the Men’s Main 21-18 to Ant Walker to pocket £100 on finals day on Friday, added £500 as winner of the Fleetwood Evening title with victory over Kev Shaw.

Now the Festival focus turns to Colywn in North Wales where Joe Killen and Jordan Millman reached the semi-finals of the Adult & Junior Pairs on Sunday at Penrhyn New Hall.

British Senior County Championship

One of the best bowlers in Shropshire will miss the British Senior County Championship semi-final clash with Warwick & Worcester.

Mike Beer, the Castlefields star who won the Champion of Champions in 2017, is unavailable for the last-four tie on Sunday.

Stuart Rutter (SJB) returns after missing the victory over North Lancs & Fylde that sealed the semi-final place while Jack Hewitt (Malpas Sports), a British Merit quarter-finalist on Saturday, comes in for Chris Stretch who drops onto reserve.

“We are returning to the Bowring for the home leg for the first time since 2019 when we beat North Lancs & Fylde there by 57, and also beat Warwick & Worcester there in 2017 by 45,” said a county association spokesman.

“Warwick & Worcester go to Solihull Marsh Lane, a green they used for the semi-final last year when beating Potteries by 67.”

Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens Bowling League’s Merit

Three past winners are on course to repeat their successes in the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens Bowling League’s Merit.

Reigning champion and league competition chief Rob Renke (Bylet), 2023 winner John Clarke (Wrockwardine Wood) and 2016 star Tony Roche came through last week’s qualifiers held at Worfield and Bylet (No.2 green).

Roche will be joined by Sir John Bayley clubmates Nick Davies and Malcolm Tibbett in the last eight for the finals at Bowring on August 20.

And also heading there will be Allan Gaut (W Wd), Larry Goodridge (Donnington Wd) and Cliff Johnson of division one leaders St Georges.