Teenager Jamie gets his hands on first major prize

A young Telford bowler enjoyed a personal breakthrough day at the Molson Coors Mid Shropshire League’s Handicap singles competition.

Jamie Pritchard played his part in Shropshire’s first British Junior County Championship triumph in 20 years earlier in the season – and on Saturday he added his first major individual title.

The Horsehay 13-year-old won the main Handicap prize at Newport by topping a super run by beating four-time County Merit winner and former homester, Peter Farmer (Sinclair), in the final.

“Jamie won his first ever competition, defeating Pete in the final 21-16 after going 11-9 down in twos from starting 9-3 up,” said league comps chief Rob Burroughs. “From 15-13 down he went 20-15 up and held his nerve to win 16 – and it’s only his third full year bowling.

“In the semi-finals he got past last year’s champion Ben Delves 16 from just 13 across while Pete was 15-13 down to Nick Davies but went 20-15 up and won 17.”

There were 35 entries and a consolation knockout was won by Ayden Smith by beating Josh Wall 21-14.

British Boys Merit

There was no repeat of Shropshire’s triumph in last year’s British Boys Merit when the 20246 finals were played at Owley Wood, Northwich.

County under-18 bowler of the season, Ellis Griffiths (Prince of Wales Hotel) started Saturday with two convincing wins and was on course to match the feat of Dan Corbett.

But he lost in the quarter-finals 21-18 against Jack Cushing of Warwick & Worcester.

The Girls Merit was switched at the 11th hour to nearby Winnington Park and Shropshire qualifier Emily Hotchkiss reached the last 16.

Market Drayton Senior Citizens League

Adderley, the rulers of the Market Drayton Senior Citizens League, will aim to reign again tomorrow.

Tilstock is where the first division champions and holders will take on Joules MD in the final of the main Eric Dobson team doubles knockout at 11am.

At the same time and venue Audlem B and Wem will play a re-run of last year’s Geoff Brookes final, when Audlem’s 12 shot handicap tipped the scales in the village club’s favour.

Tomorrow is semi-finals afternoon in the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League’s Charity Shield and consolation KO with four A teams in the hunt for the main title.

And a league spokesman added: “Having already been postponed twice due to exceptionally hot weather, the Over 75's competition will now be played at Sinclair on Tuesday 15th September, 10.45am scratch.”