It was back to the county circuit this weekend where Shropshire entertained local rivals West Midlands in what had all the signs of a close encounter. The A side needing to bounce back from the disappointment earlier in the month at Nottingham started well taking the first 3 sessions to build up a 20-13 lead, but West Midlands started to claw back in the final session taking 5 out of the first 7 frames and looked like a comeback could be on the cards. Early wins in the last session from Darren Pountney and Phil Dix had ensured Shropshire at least a draw and when Steve Williams and Ian Duffy won at the back end of the session the win was complete. Shropshire took the spoils overall 24–20. Man of the match on the day for the A team was Steve Camp winning 3 from his 4 frames. Other frame winners: Ian Duffy, Darren Pountney, Phil Dix all winning 3 frames, James Price, Andy Elliott, Steve Williams, Jeff Hoof, Danny Evans winning 2 frames, Aaron O’Donnell and Laki Badhan winning 1 frame.
The B team continued their recent run of form narrowly going down in the 1st session 6 frames to 5 but reversed this in 2nd session to tie the match up at 11 wins with notable performances from Alan Childs and Matt Sullivan winning both of their 2 games early doors, and after the 3rd session must have fancied their chances of repeating last matches heroic victory with another as they trailed by just 1 frame going into the last 11 games but West Midlands had other ideas as they rolled off 10 of the final 11 frames to claim the match 27-17. Man of the match for the B team was Alan Childs with 3 wins from 4 frames. Other frame winners: Matt Sullivan 3 frames, Danny Weaver, Jon Sykes, Adam Sykes winning 2 frames, Louie Dudu, Andreas Hadjilouca and Noel Hitch claiming a solitary frame for their efforts.
Shropshire Ladies, currently sitting in 2nd place in the region table, entertained the current league leaders and came out of the blocks flying, taking the three sessions 6-5 to build up a 18-15 lead and edge towards a memorable victory to back the A teams result, but a role reversal in the last session, West Midlands taking this session 7-4 to claim a priceless draw. Player of the match Jackie Elliott won 4 out of 4 on the day. Other winners: Tina Howells, Angela Murch on 3 wins, Michelle Murray, Kerry Webster, Lisa Yeats, Lindsey Lee on 2 wins, Donna Evans, Tammy Hancox, Tracey Williams, C Leath on 1 win.
Next match in the diary, 14th March 2010 away to Staffordshire |