2025 Review: Wrekin Cup

Thank you to Mike Potter for the below report.

Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association  –  Veterans “Wrekin Cup” Championship

Semi-finals & Finals Day – Monday 22^nd September, 2025 at Bowring BC

On a bright, mild early Autumn day, the 6 a-side teams, met at Bowring BC to firstly contest the Semi-finals with Woore taking on Bylet on the No 2 green as Castlefields played the 2024 and reigning Champions, St. Georges on the No 1 green of the Wellington venue.

Highlights from the Semi-finals.

Woore v Bylet on No 2 green

Derek Wright wasted little time turning a 7-0 lead into a strong 16-5 over John Newey and finished the game 21-9. From 8-3 up, Andy Smith saw his lead wiped out as Mike Pritchard levelled at 9-9 and then fought his way in to a lead of his own as he went 17-14 up and went on to win 21-16. Cedric Bancroft also had his 8-3 lead rubbed out by Peter Driver as he levelled at 11-11 and went on to lead 17-12 only to stall as Cedric took control and ran out 21-17. The two ladies featuring in the days played each other that saw Carol Mathews’ lose her 11-8 lead as Bev Pritchard went on a run and take a 16-11 lead that she was able to defend as she finished 21-15. Paul Curley also had a 8-2 lead cut by John Palmer as he levelled at 13-13 but Paul stretched away again to 20-14 eventually finished 21-17. Steve Howe had to battle his way back from 1-9 to level with Rob Renke 11-11 and after the scores levelled at 17-17 and 19-19 Rob ended the game 21-19.                                              Woore (+7)  113 – 106   Bylet

St. Georges v Castlefields on No 1 green

In a repeat of last year’s final, defending Champions faced Castlefields in this year’s semi-final where first up, Steve Dodd went on a good run from 6-8 down and almost ran out against Mark Thomas as Steve finished 21-9. Chris Ball fought back from 4-10 down to go into a 17-12 lead until Wayne Rogers hit back himself to almost complete a run out as he sealed his win 21-18. Roy Bradburn struggled to adapt to the green as Glyn Herbert went from 7-0 up to 14-2 and 20-3 before finishing the game 21-5. Equally, Cliff Johnson found the going tough as Barry Keep raced up to 19-5 before Cliff managed to make it in to double figures as Barry ended it 21-10. Keith Pessall saw his 10-4 lead evaporate as Alan Peach clawed his way in to the game and led himself, 14-11 & 17-14 before Keith retaliated to level at 17-17 and then took four of the last five ends to win 21-18. John Palin raced to 18-0 in just 11 ends before John Nash held the jack long enough to take a half dozen of chalks before from 18-6, John Finished it 21-6.

The match completed with both teams tying with 96 chalks each, the next match winning criteria was also tied as both teams had three winning cards. The match result was finally decided by the team with the best winning card and with St Georges best result being 21-6, Castlefields were declared winners by the narrowest of margins as their best winning card was 21-5.

St. Georges   96 -96   Castlefields (win with best card)

The Final was held on the two Bowring BC greens with 3 games played on each. The first half on No 2 green followed by the last 3 games on the No 1 green saw…

Green two

John Nash & Paul Curley tied with each other down the card as the scores went from 5-5 and 13-13 until at 18-18, Paul took the final three ends to win 21-18. Derek Wright opened up a good 13-4 lead before Alan Peach rallied and fought his way back in to the game, but from 16-13, Derek got control and ran out 21-13. Mark Thomas lost his strong 11-3 lead as Steve Howe levelled at 14-14 from which they were evenly matched with Mark just edging to win the game 21-17.   At this stage, Woore led by 7 chalks.

All eyes then moved over to the No 1 green to watch the conclusion of the Final.

Green One

An evenly matched game saw Glyn Herbert and Cedric Bancroft tie at 7-7, 10-10, & 14-14 from which Glyn broke free to go 19-14 but Cedric got back to within two, 19-17 before Glyn got out 21-17. Wayne Rogers saw his early lead of 9-4 wiped out as Andy Smith turned the game around to move to 14-10 and after the scores were levelled 14-14, Andy went on to run out 21-14. From 7-5, Castlefields Capt, Barry Keep built up a strong 15-5 lead over Carol Mathews which quickly turned to 18-7 before ending it 21-9 which proved to be enough to secure his team win by 2 chalks that would see them become “Wrekin Cup” Champions 2025.

Castlefields   108-106   Woore

County President, Simon Fullard thanked Bowring BC for the use of their greens and hospitality and congratulated all four teams for their efforts before presenting the Wrekin Cup to Castlefields Capt. Barry Keep and his team.

Congratulations Castlefields.