Brewers toast a dramatic success

For only the second time in 115 years, the final ended in a tie with both teams accumulating 219 shots, which left spectators eagerly scratching around for the competition rule book to find a solution.

In the event of a tie-break, the team with the most number of individual winners takes the trophy, but that still couldn’t separate the sides as both had six winners.

So it came down to the best individual winner, and it was the Brewers who came out on top courtesy of David East’s impressive 21-10 success.

The outcome was cruel on Penn who had played their part in an incredible final that was an excellent advert for bowls in the local area.

Victorious M&B captain Aaron Tapper said: “It was a great match that had twists and turns throughout, and we are chuffed to bits to have won the cup, albeit on a rule basis.

“We have sympathy for Penn as there is a lot of respect between our two clubs.

“At one point it felt like the cup had slipped away from us, but when our number nine and the overall man of the match Jamie Webb fought back from 2-16 down to win 21-19, followed by the tenacious efforts of our back four, that epitomised to me what our club is all about.

“We’ve had to re-build over recent seasons, so it feels good to be back among the major trophies and this gives us something to build upon.”

Willenhall Nordley and M&B Cheslyn Hay will be aiming to close the gap on runaway Dudley Building Society League leaders Dudley Dell tomorrow.

Second-placed Nordley head to Glasscutters looking to apply some pressure on the title favourites who sit out this round of action following the sad resignation of Chadsmoor.

Dell opened up an 18-point gap at the top thanks to a 12-2 victory over Short Heath Liberal A last weekend.

Cheslyn Hay, who are tied with Nordley on 163 points, go to Penn, who they edged out in a dramatic Staffordshire Challenge Cup final.

Woodfield entertain Windmill while Short Heath welcome ECC and Cradley take on Victoria Park at Colley Lane.