Thank you to Competitions Secretary Mike Potter for the below report.
With potential storms forecast on a cool cloudy early June day competitions Secretary, Mike Potter welcome players to Prees Sports & Bowling Club.
With the poor weather forecast, an anticipated drop in entries from last year’s 34 was realised as the enthusiastic field of 26 pairings and their supporters descended on the North Shropshire club to contest this year’s Father & Son Doubles 2025.
As the Sun pushed its way through the clouds, everyone welcomed the occasional warmth as play began on the two well presented greens things were set for some high class bowls, and for those watching were not disappointed as the day culminated with, Gary & Connor Whitehall, appearing in their second final again felt the heartbreak of defeat after a brave rearguard offensive just failed as Martin & Emmett McKinley managed to hold on in the final that saw them get their hands on the champions trophy for their first time after they saw off the Whitehall’s 21-18 in the final that capped off more than 7hrs of top class bowls action.
Highlights from Quarter finals
From 3-8 down, Martin & Emmett McKinley levelled at 8-8 with Phil & Aaron King and went on to 16-11 and after dropping just 3 more chalks, the McKinley’s ended the game winning 21-14.
Peter Bryan & Miles Fisher shared the opening 7 ends with Steve & Ellis Griffiths that saw them level at 6-6 and after a few low scoring ends by both parties, as the scores showed Steve & Ellis lead 12-10 they failed to stop Peter & Myles’s run of 11 chalks in 6 ends to post a win,
Gary & Connor Whitehall led 9-0 before Wayne & Steven Rogers levelled at 10-10 but they then could only manage to add a couple of chalks as Gary & Conner powered their way to a 21-12 win.
In a similar game, Glyn & Ash Wellings saw their 10-5 lead get wiped out as Spencer & Thomas Clarke tied the game 10-10 but also they stalled as Glyn & Ash ran out winners at 21-10.
Highlights from the Semi-finals
Martin & Emmett McKinney had a strong 13-7 lead wiped out by Peter Bryan & Myles Fisher that levelled the game 15-15 from which point neither pairing could hold the jack that saw the scores went to the 20-20 and Martin & Emmett squeezed home to book the final place 21-20.
Meanwhile
Gary & Connor Whitehall took little time making double figures, 10-0 and held that lead before Glyn & Ash Wellings from 14-6 down, fought back to level at 16-16 only to see Gary & Connor take the last 4 ends of the game to win 21-16.
The Final
Martin & Emmett McKinley played themselves into a strong 15-5(12ends) lead over Gary & Connor Whitehall and kept a healthy lead until at 19-12(20ends) the Whitehall’s found a good patch of ground and pulled themselves up to within a chalk 18-19(24ends) before Martin & Emmett resumed control and took the next 2 ends to complete their victory, 21-18(26ends)
Full scores are here.
With just a handful of people left, County Competition Secretary, Mike Potter congratulated host club, Prees BC and its members for the provision of their greens, facilities and refreshments before inviting 2025 Shropshire President, Simon Fullard to present the prizes to the players and the Winners Trophy to the 2025 Champions, Martin & Emmett McKinley.
Congratulations everyone concerned, another successful competition.
Mike Potter – SCGBA Comps Sec.
