Alan is a bowling champion for all seasons
It doesn’t matter whether it’s outdoors on a crown green or indoors on a rink, Alan Boulton is a bowls champion, writes Malcolm Fletcher.
And age is no problem either for the 81-year-old who is the new men’s singles champion of Shrewsbury Indoor Bowls Club.
Boulton won the title when the club held its finals day for the 2024/25 winter competitions on Sunday at the six rink centre at the Sports Village.
An Adderley stalwart in the summer who has two County Veterans Merit triumphs among his multiple crown green honours, he beat Phil Lyttle in the final.
But Lyttle, who bowled for Meole Brace in the Shropshire Premier League this year, won the mixed singles crown, getting his hands on the Jubilee Cup by beating David Pritchard.
Christine Harrison won the ladies singles trophy with victory over Marilyn Fletcher and also enjoyed success in the ladies pairs.
“Finals day was organised by Colin Smith, the club’s competitions secretary, and there was a good attendance of members, braving the inclement weather and providing refreshments and support for the participants,” said spokeswoman Cynthia Hedley. “The club's next event will be a Christmas Charity Day on Sunday, December 15, in aid of the Parkinson's Group – and all are welcome.”
Other results of club finals: Men's Pairs – 1 Chris Partridge and David Nicholls; 2 Chris Sherriff and Dave Watkins. Ladies Pairs – 1 Christine Harrison and Gill Ralphs; 2 Marilyn Fletcher and Sue Partridge. Mixed Pairs – 1 Chris Sherriff and Debbie Sherriff; 2 Chris Ralphs and Gill Ralphs.
Title-chasing Bylet and Bowring were the only teams to score maximum 20-point hauls in the latest round of the Allscott Heath winter bowls league.
Bylet won all four singles games against Edgmond last week while Bowring were too strong for Donnington Wood on the all weather surface.
But it’s Shifnal, who are due to face Allscott Dynamos on Thursday and have county No.1 Callum Wraight in their ranks, who are top of the table as the only team with a 100 per cent record from five games.
Meanwhile, plans to run an afternoon league, using the same four-a-side format, are progressing with club member Chris Yates the person to contact about the project.
Yates is vice-chairman of the Mid Shropshire Senior Citizens League, a spokesman for which said: “In light of the success of their evening winter league played on the all weather green, Allscott Heath are looking to see if there's any interest in forming an over 60s league to be played in the afternoons, starting in the new year.
“Anyone interested should contact Chris Yates on 01952-770394 (email: chris@ercallmill.co.uk).”
And it’s not too late to compete in the £1,300 Edgmond Winter Shield on the crown green voted the best in Shropshire this year.
The last two qualifying sessions are on Saturday, December 14, at 10am and 2pm and promoter Sarah Glenholmes said: “The last couple of spaces are left to book with me on 07792 428685.”
Entry costs £20 and a first prize of more than £400 will be up for grabs on finals day on Saturday, December 28, when the curtain falls on the Shropshire open bowls competition scene for 2024.
The county’s four delegates were spared the worry of travelling to the British Referees Society AGM on Saturday in Northwich.
The meeting scheduled for Winnington Park was called off due to the terrible weather and has bee re-arranged for March 22.
