Bowls duo get their hands on trophy at last
From heartache to elation in 12 months is the story for Donna Bennett and Paul Bradley in the Judith Purcell Memorial Mixed Doubles.
Runners-up in the SPS Whitchurch League competition last year, the Malpas Sports duo got their hands on the trophy at Chester Road on Sunday.
Despite there being only 10 entries, it took four wins for Bennett & Bradley to come out on top on a sunny day by beating Craig Ashley and Mo Corley of Wem USC 21-11 in the final.
That finally put to bed memories of their 21-6 defeat at the hands of brother and sister, Cedric and Jean Bancroft, in the 2016 final.
But the Bancrofts had something to smile about too at the Whitchurch venue as they won the consolation knockout by beating Olive Pass and Jamie Brookes (Wrenbury/Malpas Sports) in that final 21-12.
North Shropshire Ladies secretary Bennett and past Merit winner Bradley beat husband and wife Brian and Sylvia Jones 21-3 in the main semi-finals while Ashley & Corley were nearly as quick in seeing off Dale Booth & Marie Matthews 21-5.
Judith Purcell was a long serving secretary of the league who is still sadly missed and a raffle was held in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Quarter-final results – Bennett & Bradley 21 Julian Goodwin & Gaynor Smith 18; B & S Jones 21 Philip Jones & Tina Ralph 15; Booth & Matthews 21 C & J Bancroft 14; Ashley & Corley 21 Charlie & Jane Peak 20.
