Wenlock Olympian Bowls 2025

The Much Wenlock Olympian Bowls competition attracted its usual number of the areas competitive bowlers urged on by an enthusiastic band of supporters.

Saturday 28th June saw a 10am start for the singles competitions with both the 2024 ladies and men’s gold medallists taking part. Last year’s ladies champion Jo Cohen put on a stern defence of her title but lost out to Greta Mann from Madeley BC who faced home favourite Vera Hodgetts in the final. Vera edged ahead early in the game but never let her lead falter winning the gold medal yet again by 9 shots.

Last year’s men’s champion Emmet McKinley saw off Broseley challenger Kevin Carter in the first round but came unstuck in a close encounter with Horsehay player, Peter Burd in the semi-final. In the other half of the draw Chris Dodds from Sir John Bayley was in sparkling form seeing off Much Wenlock locals Tony Howells and Peter Yates in the earlier rounds. In the semi-final Chris came up against yet another senior Much Wenlock bowler, Peter Gyldard, and yet again came out on top.

The men’s final turned out to be a thrilling close-run encounter with Peter Burd taking the early lead. By the 24th end, however, it was 17 across. Unfortunately for Peter he blinked first and Chris was able to take the next two ends for a win.

The Olympian Doubles competition was held on Sunday 6th July when 12 doubles teams set out to snaffle the gold medals. The first semi-final saw Kevin Carter (Broseley) and Des Conneely (Horsehay) taking on locals Keith Banks and Tony Partridge. The second semi-final also included a local team of Geoff Wills and Peter Yates taking on Dave James and Sue Conneely from Shifnal. The local teams came out on top making it an all Much Wenlock final for the first time in many years.

The final proved to be a close encounter with Keith and Tony holding a 1 shot lead after 17 ends. The 18th end saw Geoff and Peter pull ahead but an outbreak of short bowling hit them hard in the 19th and 20th ends which enabled Keith and Tony to take the title by 21 to 16.

Our photo’s show competitors with event organiser Bob Mumford and Wenlock Olympian Society officers Helen Cromarty, Chris Cannon and Mac Bardsley.