Following the BCGBA’s decision to alter their 18-23 Merit to now be their 18-25 Merit, it was decided we would fall in line and change our intermediate Merit to be the 18-25 Merit also.
For the 2025 running of the competition, the same number as last year saw 8 players make their way to Bayston Hill BC on scorching Summer’s morning with a cloudless sky that would see temperatures push the mercury well over the 30 degrees mark.
Highlights from the Quarter-finals
Harry Parsonage was quick to turn his 8-1 lead over Emmett McKinley, into a strong 16-7 position before ending it 21-8.
Likewise, from 3-2, Rhys Marshall raced ahead against Thomas Jones to lead 12-3 & 19-3 and soon finished 21-6.
Another short game saw Ed Proudlove push from leading Alex Jones 8-4 onto 17-4 and won through with a 21-7 card.
The longest game of the round saw brothers Tom & Joe Killen battle it out over 31 ends that eventually saw Tom edge the game 21-19.
Highlights from Semi-finals
In a repeat match-up of last year’s final, Rhys Marshall & Harry Parsonage found difficulty in losing each other as the scores went from 6-6, 12-12 & 19-19 but alas Harry just could not avenge his lose as Rhys booked his place in the final after 28 gruelling, hard fought ends with a 21-12 winning card
Meanwhile
Tom Killen, moved from 5-4 up to lead Ed Proudlove, 13-4 and as Ed continued to struggle, Tom went on from 15-9 and ran out after 20 ends to win 21-9.
The Final
From 4-4(5ends) Tom Killen forged himself into a good 10-4(11ends) & 15-6(15ends) lead that Rhys Marshall countered as he got into double figures only for Tom to score four unanswered ends and run out winning 21-10(22 ends).
Competition Secretary, Mike Potter thanked Bayston Hill BC for their hospitality and staging the event before asking host club Bayston Hill’s Secretary, Sylvia Morris to present the prizes to the worthy players.
2025 Shropshire 18-25 Merit Champion – TOM KILLEN.
Congratulations
MP
