A League title and trophy he missed out on two years ago is now safely in the keeping of Steve Watkins.
The Sir John Bayley bowler is the new Mid Shropshire Monday Merit champion, having lost in the 2024 final to county selector Mick Jones (Newport).
This time, at Edgmond on the evening of Saturday 18th July, Steve was not prepared to be runner up again, powering away from Bowring’s Stefan Whitehouse to lead 9-2 in the vital showdown.
Stefan, with his dad Terry marking and big support greenside, fought back to lead 12-11 and then got back to just 19-17 down by playing the corners,
But Steve was not to be denied and finally got the two he needed to receive the trophy from League President Mike Potter. His £60 reward will follow at the annual dinner in November.
The finalists are PICTURED just before the action started in the superb surface at Edgmond
A record entry of 76 produced a finals day field of 16 and the semi-finalists were Ben Delves (SJB) and Horsehay junior Jamie Pritchard, who was finalist in this last year.
Earlier in the day the League’s first round robin event at Bowring was won by young Logan Church, beating John Potter 21-14 in an all-Sinclair final, while the consolation prize went to Owen Cherrington (Wrockwardine Wood).