KGJ Insurance Shropshire Cup Final Report & Pictures

Thank you to Competitions Secretary Mike Potter for the below report on the 2025 KGJ Insurance Shropshire Cup Final.

As this competition is played on a neutral green between two teams that will otherwise never play each other due to playing in different Leagues within the County, current form becomes negligible and the result is usually decided by which team players adapt to the conditions of the green the quickest.

And this was the case at the Shrewsbury venue of Telepost BC as the North Shropshire team from Woore over powered their Mid-Shopshire opponents, Sinclair with seemingly consummate ease after taking a clean sweep of the first four on their way to winning 7 of the 10 games and securing a 34 chalk victory in the final of the 2025 Shropshire Cup.

On a mild Summer evening we were treated to some excellent bowls played in a sporting manner by both teams and with President, Simon Fullard and his Deputy, Andy Jones we were pleased to welcome former County Merit Champion and our long time Sponsor from KGJ Insurance, Colin Beaman who was happy to relay his memories of when he played for Telepost and had won this competition 40+ years ago.

Highlights of the games.

Woore made a dream start and a clean pair of heels as they cleared the first four games and lead by 32 shots.

At number 1, Gary Beff opened up a 6-2 on Dan Williams and turned his advantage to 13-5 & 18-8 before ending it 21-9.  Paul Smith had to fight back from 0-7 down to level 8-8 with Ashley Gregory and after matching each other until 14-14 at which point Paul opened up to lead 20-16 and held on to win 21-18.  Steve Rogers quickly opened up a 12-4 lead over Peter Spragg and held it to go 17-10 and kept his 7 chalk lead to finish 21-14. Ian MacDonald shared the opening ends with Harry Church that saw the scores lay at 7-7 but then Ian took control, winning 13 of the last 16 ends to win 21-11.

Woore  84 – 52  Sinclair

Sinclair got their first success of the evening in the middle four, actually taking 3 of the 4 games as Steve Handley battled back from 4-12 & 10-17 down against Derek Wright and completed his win as he ran out 21-17. Ben Hinton kept the damage down to a minimum as he led Darren Fielding 11-6 and almost ran out as he delivered a 21-7 winning card. Jordan Millman trailed 2-7 to Cedric Bancroft before he went on a run winning 12 ends of 14 to close out the game 21-11.  Simon Madeley wasted little time to lead 15-6 before Liam Jones fought back to get to 10-15 and from 11-20 before Simon eventually ended it 21-15.

Woore  148 – 122  Sinclair

With Woore leading by 26, it soon became evident that barring any huge mishaps concerning their back two players, the championship would be theirs.

Following holding the jack for several ends, Carl Hinton turned a 3-9 deficit to tie 12-12 with Stuart Church and carried on to lead 18-14 & 20-16 before winning 21-17. An evenly matched game featured Jan Wakefield and John Potter share the scores that went 11-11, 14-14 & 16-16 before, finishing the stronger, Jan edged his way to win 21-17.

Woore  190 – 156  Sinclair

Result – Woore defeated Sinclair by 34 chalks.

Competitions Secretary, Mike Potter thanked Telepost BC for allowing the use of their green and facilities along with Referee Robert Fousert and measurers before calling on County President, Simon Fullard and Colin Beaman (sponsors KGJ Insurance) to present the Shropshire Cup (Burdass Cup) to delighted Woore team captain, Gary Beff.

Well Done & Congratulations Woore.