Taylor Support Shropshire Premier Bowls League
Sinclair shocked League Champions Castlefields to win the 2026 Audlem Special Events Team Alan Mayhew Trophy by 3 chalks, becoming the first club outside our league to win it.
They started well, Ash Gregory racing 12-4 up on Jon Palmer with the other games level. Jon did close the gap but Ash ran out a 9 winner and won the “Mark Burroughs Man of the Match” trophy. Mike Beer replied for Castlefields with a 15 win, although Harry Church gained a few vital chalks at the end from 19-11 down. Ayden Smith had a strong finish to beat Ash Wellings 14, while Steve Handley edged out Tom Palmer 19 to put Sinclair 15 up.
Castlefields hit back though. Callum Wraight put on a show against Conor Chamberlain to win 8 from 17-8 up, and Rhys Marshall raced 10-3 and 17-8 up on John Potter and won 12 to put Fields in front. But Pete Farmer had a strong end to win 13 from just 14-11 up, and Dan Williams led Glyn Herbert 17-8. However Glyn used all his years of experience to come back and win 20 to level the game.
Step forward Darren Fielding, who played exceptionally well early on to beat whatever Rich Goddard put up in the corners to lead 12-1 and 17-3 and eventually win 5. But Adam Jones was 12-6 up on Kevin Keary and Adie Rowe was 14-7 ahead of John Roberts. They were both 18-13 up but Kevin and John hit back to get some vital chalks to get 18 and 17 respectively. This left Wayne Rogers on the green with 18 year old Jordan Millman, with Wayne 11-5 up and knowing he had to stop Jordon getting 13 to win the game for the Fields. Wayne went 12-7 and 16-10 up and laid 2 on, but Jordon came in last bowl for one. Wayne scored another single. He then led a foot bowl which Jordon beat and scored one when having the opportunity to make game. However he then led a bowl a few inches in front, and Wayne fired and missed last bowl to cue the Sinclair celebrations. Wayne won 15 which meant Sinclair won by 3.
Sinclair captain Harry Church says “firstly I like to thank Wem for hosting it was great night of bowls played by both sides although we went in as the underdogs we held our own against a great Castlefields team for me. Ash Gregory was outstanding from start to finish and Steve Handley and Tom Palmer had a great game in the front 4 . Thought Callum Wraight was outstanding for them and didn’t play a bad bowl all night. Again Pete Farmer showed no fatigue winning the Edgmond Spring Shield then playing exceptionally well last night also. Darren fielding was in top form last night played the green as if it was his own and for our youngest player Jordon Millman coped with the pressure brilliant bringing home the win. All in all a great night of bowling great atmosphere. Commiserations Castlefields but I’m sure they back in the winners in closure soon enough, a great bunch of lads on and off the green, good luck to them for the rest of the season.”
Thank you to Wem Sports for doing a great job hosting and providing a great buffet afterwards.
Alan Mayhew was unable to be there this year as he was fishing, but congratulated Sinclair on their win!
| No | Sinclair | Score | Score | Castlefields |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashley Gregory | 21 | 9 | Jon Palmer |
| 2 | Harry Church | 15 | 21 | Michael Beer |
| 3 | Steve Handley | 21 | 19 | Tom Palmer |
| 4 | Ayden Smith | 21 | 14 | Ashley Wellings |
| 5 | Conor Chamberlain | 8 | 21 | Callum Wraight |
| 6 | Peter Farmer | 21 | 13 | Jamie King |
| 7 | John Potter | 12 | 21 | Rhys Marshall |
| 8 | Dan Williams | 20 | 21 | Glyn Herbert |
| 9 | Kevin Keary | 18 | 21 | Adam Jones |
| 10 | John Roberts Jnr | 17 | 21 | Adrian Rowe |
| 11 | Darren Fielding | 21 | 5 | Rich Goddard |
| 12 | Jordan Millman | 15 | 21 | Wayne Rogers |
| Games | 5 | 7 | Games | |
| Aggregate | 210 | 207 | Aggregate |