Shropshire Junior Merit 2023 – Saturday 1st July 2023 – Bowring BC, old green
17 of the county’s young bowlers and their families gathered around the old green at deputy president, Brenda Slingo’s chosen by venue of Bowring BC to contest the 2023 running of the County Junior Merit.
And as the day’s proceedings unfolded, it became clear to see at the Wellington venue, the spectators were in for a treat of viewing some fine bowling from the young talent on show.
Players losing their first games were to be given a second chance of tasting Cup glory as they were allowed free entry in to a consolation competition for the Peter Ashton Cup.
In the only prelim of the day, Wayd Pawlowski raced from 4-6 down to lead Tom Oare 12-8 and 19-9 before finishing the game, 21-10. This turned out to be a prelude to a rematch, see the consolation for details.
Round One would see Wayd Pawlowski face Rhys Marshall who flew up from a 3-5 deficit to lead 13-5 and 18-6 lead and soon ended it 21-8. At the same time, Dan Corbett was powering to 8-0 and 19-2 up before Tad Broome found his weight and fought back to make double figures until Dan finished it 21-11.
In yet another similar game, Austin Wilson from 1-3, forged himself in to a commanding 15-3 and 19-5 over Harvey Rudkin before it ended 21-6.
An evenly matched game between Jordon Millman and Logan Church saw the scores go from 7-7 and 11-11, however from 14-14 Jordon went on to run out 21-14.
Akeel Duncan raced into a 9-0 lead and from 12-4 ran out against Harry Brookes, 21-4.
Jack Lawrence saw his 7-1 lead cut to 11-9 by Luke Morris before Jack kicked ahead again to go 16-9 and 18-11 and finish off 21-13. Harry Wilson turned around a 4-7 down score in to a strong 18-8 lead over Eloise Fenwick and after a revival by her, Harry made it through 21-14.
After the first half of Rowan Fuller’s and Cerys Marshall’s game that saw Rowan take a slim 12-10 lead and raced up to 19-11 only to see Cerys respond to close to 19-17 before he got home 21-17.
The quarter finals saw Rhys Marshall move from 8-2 and on to 16-8 before Dan Corbett hit back to close to 17-13 only to stall as Rhys went on to win 21-13.
Jordon Millman and Austin Wilson matched each other from 4-4 and 10-10 but from 15-15 Jordon 5 of the next 7 ends to win 21-17. Akeel Duncan saw his 9-1 lead over Jack Lawrence nearly evaporate but from 9-7 he went on to run out 21-7.
Harry Wilson matched Rowan Fuller until he moved ahead from 9-10 to lead 19-12 and ended Rowan’s challenge 21-14.
In the semi-finals, Rhys Marshal quickly turned a 5-5 card to 14-6 and although Jordon Millman fought back to trail 12-15 and 15-18 only to see Rhys get home 21-16.
Meanwhile, from 5-5 and 8-8 Akeel Duncan had to fight hard from 11-15 against Harry Wilson and completed a near run out winning 21-16.
The Final between two of the mainstays of the current Junior County team saw Rhys Marshall take a slim 6-5(8 ends) lead over Akeel Duncan on to a strong 10-5 and 15-8(17 ends) and kept up the pressure by nearly running out as the game finished 21-9 and Rhys became the 2023 Junior Merit Champion.
Competition Secretary, Mike Potter thanked Bowring BC for their hospitality, staging the event, the parents for their supporting and not forgetting the young competitors and revealed both Rhys & Akeel, will be put forward to the BCGBA hopefully to successfully represent Shropshire in the All Britain finals day in Staffordshire in August before inviting County Deputy President, Brenda Slingo to make the presentation of the prizes to the worthy winners.
