North Shropshire's British Parks Hopes alive and well

The British Parks County Championship hopes of North Shropshire are alive and kicking.

The relaunched team got their first victory at the second attempt after seeing off Greater Manchester by 38 chalks on Sunday.

The platform was laid by a 63-shot triumph in the home leg at Hanmer, while the away side limited the damage to just 25 at Metro Sports in Stetford.

It means a convincing victory over clear leaders South Yorkshire in the final group game on July 18 could see North Shropshire progress to the knockout stages.

"I'm glad we have got our first win under our belts and we can move on from here," said team chief Paul Latham, who played through the pain of a broken foot at home.

"We couldn't have been put in a harder group to start with so the lads are doing well.

"Hanmer was very quick and we were getting great support on the side of the green.

"I wanted five winners away and we just missed out with three tight games not going our way. But they did a fantastic job away, holding them to 25 chalks."

County captain Derek Wright - a big advocate of Shropshire using Hanmer for an Endsleigh British county championship game — proved his liking for the green with a 21-6 victory.

The two homesters permitted under competition rules cashed in, Alan Faulkner and Mike Townsend winning 21-7 and 21-11 respectively, while Wem USC captain Mel Jenkins also impressed a 21-8 triumph as the home side enjoyed nine winners out of 12 at red hot Hanmer.

A strong North Shropshire showing at Stetford produced four winners, led by Clay Flatley and John Breeze who won to 10 and 14 respectively.

Chester Road's Paul Griffiths edged to a 21-20 triumph before Mark Holland — recalled to the full county team for Shropshire's vital clash with Staffordshire next month - won 21-14 at No 12.

Full scores

At Hanmer: Adrian Smout (Bridgwater) 18 E Ralphson 21, Derek Wright (Wem USC) 21 R Goodman 6, Dave Ridgeway (AWC) 21 B Walker 12, Mel Jenkins (Wem USC) 21 P Morley 8, Andy Foster (Bridgewater) 21 N Turrell 18, Alan Faulkner (Hanmer) 21 L Fishwick 7, Chris Lloyd (District) 9 N Greenhaigh 21, Mike Townsend (Hanmer) 21 J Hynes 11, Chris Brettell (Wem USC) 21 T Fahy 11, John Paddington (AWC) 18 C Chapman 21, Dale Booth (Woore) 21 S Squire 18, Paul Latham (Chester Road) 21 I Turrell 16. North Shropshire won by 63, 233-170 (11-3 on points).

At Metro Sports, Stretford: Paul Williams (District) 18 J Kelly 21, Clay Flattley (Bridgwater) 21 D Phillips 10, John Breeze (Childs Ercall) 21 A Murray 14, Martin Lloyd (District) 17 B Hibbert 21, Andy Duckett (Chester Road) 18 C Alderson 21, Mike Dulson (Wem USC) 13 D Baines 21, Paul Griffiths (Chester Road) 21 P Dooley 20, Keith Wall (Hodnet) 15 C Jones 21, Alan Griffiths 8 M McDonnell 21, Graham Dulson (Wem USC) 16 B Phillips 21, Ian McDonald (Wem USC) 12 S Ridley 21, Mark Holland (Chester Road) 21 A Gower 14. North Shropshire lost by 25, 201-226 (4-10).

OVERALL: North Shropshire won by 38 chalks (18-13 points).

Other group result: South Yorkshire beat North Staffordshire 23-8.

By JAMES GARRISON