Junior Merit 2022

Thank you to SCGBA Competitions Secretary Mike Potter for providing the below report and pictures on the 2022 Junior Merit. 18 of the county’s young bowlers and their families gathered at the deputy president’s, Mick Jones, choice of venue of Sir John Bayley to contest the 2022 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. The first round losers were handed a second chance of tasting Cup glory as they were entered in to a consolation competition for the Peter Ashton Trophy. In the 2 pre-lims of the main competition Jordan Millman flew up to a 14-1 lead before homester Will Thompson closed the gap to trail 9-15 but Jordan proved to be good enough as he turned the game into another win 21-10. Tom Carr tied with Billy Walmsley 6-6, 12-12 and 17-17 until Tom grabbed the final ends of the game to win 21-17. Tom Carr struggled in his second game as Jordan Millman went from 7-7 to 16-10 and ending the game 21-13. Wayd Pawloski turned a 7-2 advantage in to 16-3 over Jack Lawrence who fought back to be 20-13 down before Wayd won 21-13. Rhys Marshall went from 6-6 to 16-6 against Jarrett Cotterill then went on to finish 21-10. Tom Killen made short work as he turned an 11-3 card over Harvey Rudkin into a 21-6 win. Camilla Parsonage also made light work seeing off Akeel Khan as she went 8-2, 13-4 19-6 and 21-7. Thomas Oare hit 5 double point ends in a row to lead 13-2 before Lily Clayton hit back to close the gap to trail 12-15 only to see Thomas run out as he won 21-15. In the Quarter Finals, from an even start, Tom Killen almost ran out as he went from 10-10 to beat Camilla Parsonage 21-12. From 5-5, Joe Killen raced to 20-6 and despite a short run by Daniel Corbett to make double figures, Joe won 21-10. In the semi-finals, Tom Killen turned a 4-7 deficit against Wayd Pawlowski to lead 12-7 and from 14-10, ran out to win 21-10. Joe Killen turned a 6-1 lead into a 14-10 lead over Jordan Millman and from 16-14 up, ran out to win 21-14. The Final of the Consolation Peter Ashton Cup saw Akeel Khan turn a 9-5 (8 ends) advantage over homester Will Thompson and push on to 16-7 (14 ends) and 19-10 (21 ends) but Will fought back to get to within 5 chalks before Akeel finished the game 21-16 (27 ends). Meanwhile in the Merit Final Joe Killen found himself 1-6 (5 ends) down and 4-14 (11 ends) down against his brother Tom before managing to get in his preferred corners and tied the game at 14-14 (18 ends). From there they matched each other until at 19-19 (24 ends), Joe managed to hold the jack for two ends and score the 2 chalks needed to become the 2022 champion. Competition Secretary/ County President, Mike Potter thanked Sir John Bayley for their hospitality, and staging the event, the parents for their supporting and not forgetting the young competitors. He revealed both Joe & Tom, as they did last year, will be representing Shropshire when they take their places in the All Britain finals day, before inviting county Deputy President, Mick Jones to make the presentation of the prizes to the worthy winners. Full scores from the Junior Merit are here.