Tina is in tip-top form ahead of County Championship clash

One North Shropshire bowler is in the perfect mood to help them have lift off in the British Ladies County Championship on Sunday.

Tina Ralph won the association’s Ladies Merit at Whixall at the weekend to add to the triples title she helped win earlier in the season.

The Nantwich Park Road bowler took the prized singles crown by beating Ann Breakwell (Hadnall) 21-11 in the final.

“Both finalists will go through to the British Ladies Merit finals (at Pennfields on July 11) and Tina will also go to the Champion of Champions,” said North Shropshire secretary Leah Marshall. “It was a great evening of bowling and thank you to Whixhall BC for hosting it.

“Now North Shropshire Ladies play their next county game on Sunday against North Derbyshire with the home leg at Tilstock - please come and support the ladies.”

And support could be vital for the President’s Cup match starting at 2pm– the away leg being at Peak Dale BC, near Buxton – as North Shropshire look to recover from another defeat in their opener last month, beaten by 20 shots by Cumbria when North Derbyshire lost by 25 to Greater Manchester.

Ladies Merit semi-final scores: Tina Ralph 21 Olive Pass (District) 20; Breakwell 21 Elaine Jones (Hadnall) 15.

Isle of Man June Festival

Whatever happens on finals day at the Festival, Shropshire bowlers are certain to be in action on the Isle of Man tonight.

They will be part of a 32-strong field – half of Manx men and half of visitors - who will be gunning for a £500 first prize in the Festival Invitational at Nobles Park in Douglas from around 4pm.

Flying the flag for the Premier League will be Callum Wraight, Rich Goddard, Ash Wellings and Jon Palmer of Castlefields plus Sir John Bayley duo Reece Farr and Joe Dicken.

“The Friday Festival Invitational returns when 16 of the island’s finest take on some of the best in the business from across the pond, all looking to scoop the £500 first prize. It will start after completion of the Festival presentation ceremony,” said a spokesman.

Saturday action

There will be no rest for Telford bowls promoter supreme Rob Burroughs tomorrow.

His day will start at 10am with the Dennis Lewis Junior Open at Wellington’s Sir John Bayley Club for a maximum of 32 under-18s.

He will organise their will play in eight handicapped round robin groups, with seven-end ties, to produce a last eight to contest a £360 prize fund.

Not content with that, Burroughs will then make the short trip to St Georges to run a new two-bowler team competition using both greens from 5.30pm.

A full house of 16 would guarantee £640 in prize money, but he was still trying to fill two vacancies in the 5.30 session in midweek.