Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
The closest ever final was in 2013 when Archibald Worthington played Hanwood. There was already controversy before this game as Hanwood had lost to Hanmer on the Monday before, but Hanmer were deemed to have played an ineligible player and had his score changed to a 21-0 loss and therefore Hanwood were declared the winners. What followed was the closest final we have seen with the scores level after four and eight games off. A report, scores and pictures are below.
Play Off Final – Archibald Worthington v Hanwood at Hadley USC
Archy survive but only just!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The match had one chalk in it after four blocks, was level after eight and with the last two games on the green the result could have gone either way, but Archibald Worthington retained their Premier League status by three precious chalks thanks to a 21-5 card by Dave Gourlay at number 12! The match had everything and was keenly tested throughout and their some great comebacks on both sides on a green that punished short bowls and quick on all the edges.
Full Match score:-
| Archibald Worthington | Hanwood | |||||
| Ged | Ashley | 10 | v | 21 | Wayne | Phillips |
| Lee | Peate | 21 | v | 13 | Russ | Wellings |
| Alan | Ball | 21 | v | 12 | Ben | Talbot |
| Paul | Smith | 16 | v | 21 | Dave | Burton |
| Paul | Gleave | 20 | v | 21 | Mark | Parsons |
| Gary | Whitehall | 21 | v | 14 | Gareth | Ingram |
| Rob | Adams | 18 | v | 21 | Phil | Lyttle |
| John | Paddington | 17 | v | 21 | Mark | Shore |
| Paul | Bradley | 16 | v | 21 | Carl | Bowers |
| Steve | Plant | 21 | v | 19 | Steve | France |
| Greg | Fordham | 11 | v | 21 | Ash | Wellings |
| Dave | Gourlay | 21 | v | 5 | Phil | Talbot |
Archibald Worthington, retain their Premier League status, Back (from left) Paul Bradley, Steve Plant, Paul Smith, Gary Whitehall, Alan Ball, John Paddington (captain).
Front: Paul Gleave, Dave Gourlay, Rob Adams, Greg Fordham, Ged Ashley, Lee Peate.
Hanwood, so close tonight in achieving premier league status, Back from left: Wayne Phillips, Mark Shore, Mark Parsons, Steve france, Phil Talbot, Dave Burton.
Front: Carl Bowers, Ben talbot (Joint Captain), Phil Lyttle, Ashley Wellings (Joint Captain), Russ Wellings, Gareth Ingram.