Page 1 - Front Cover

Rob Roden - A Year As Champ

R ob Roden can still remember last year’s winning bowl in the Flowfit Shropshire
Senior Merit Final against Peter Famer as if it was yesterday “As soon as I released
my bowl it I knew it couldn’t fail and the shouts from the crowd confirmed it, most
distinctly hearing Turkey’s and my Dad’s voice shouting this can’t fail. The feeling is
indescribable, winning something that so many top players in Shropshire haven’t achieved
is so self satisfying.”
It was this time last year that Rob Roden took his place at Allscott in the
last 32 of the Merit, but he was so close to not taking part. “The funny thing
was leading up to the Merit it was a difficult time for me and my family and
I was very close to dropping out.”
But Rob, or Shoes as he his more commonly known as, summoned
up the courage to take his place and use it as inspiration to win the biggest
prize in Shropshire bowls. “The recognition you receive from winning
the Shropshire merit is fantastic, attending the Mid-Shropshire league
presentation as their guest of honour, Champion of Champions and an
All England appearance has been a great experience for me, something
that strives me to reach the next level. For many weeks after, opposition
captains came over with their sides and congratulated me which was a really
nice touch and makes it hit home how big winning the merit is. To be on the
trophy with the best bowlers in Shropshire is something that no-one can take
away from me.”
It wasn’t a good start to the day for Rob, as “Sean Round went for
a roll up with me in the morning before the Merit and wiped the floor with
me on the Bowring old green so things weren’t looking good.”

He also had to face family in his first game, his uncle
Rich Lawson, runner up in 1985 and 2001. It didn’t
look promising at 17-8 down but he produced
a great comeback to get out 20. This led
him to play Callum Wraight, “arguably the
country’s best bowler” according to Rob, but
Rob never looked back in the game and won
16.
“My hardest game was in the Quarters against
Aaron, who had been exceptional all day, and is
now showing his class in the Premier League.
“To me it is no surprise that he has broke
through into the county set up. His attitude and
the way he goes about his business is second to
none for a lad his age.”
However he overcame this obstacle winning 17
and reaching the Semi Finals and a guaranteed place
in the All England Finals for the first time. He faced
Meole Brace’s Darren Wellings in the Semi Finals,
and won 18, to face one of “Shropshire’s most
decorated players in Peter Farmer.” But Rob didn’t
let that phase him, and won 18 to win the magnificent
Charles Beddard Trophy.