Highlights
Irrespective of the first set of results, all Counties go into June’s second round of fixtures still plotting a way to the semi-finals. Some needed a win to keep that dream alive, but for those who started with a win in May, the chance to cement their advantage and ultimately eliminate teams in their group, always makes the second round of fixtures a fascinating day.
The picture is always clearer after the first Sunday in June. Who came out on top and what does it mean for July and the final Group Matches of 2026?
Group.1. fixtures pitted the two losers from May and the two winners against each other. Losers first…
The game between Cheshire and Cumbria in theory would give the winner an outside chance of qualification and a strong performance from Cheshire on Swettenham, where Jamie Bramley & Matt Thurlwell both won to low single figures, gave them an 87 chalk win, that proved to be the highest on the day. While good wins at Kirkby in Cumbria for Richard Peach, Matt Sands & Jason Cornes meant the visitors only lost by 3 points.
Another big win for May victors Wales or Yorkshire would probably mean that July would be a formality, and the steamroller that is Yorkshire were that team. A 70 point win at home on Rastrick and a 19 point win away on Benllech means that their two wins, a 157 chalk positive aggregate and a July fixture against Cumbria, who have already used Lindall, will mean that nobody will place a bet on them not reaching the semi-final.
Group.2. pitched winner v loser from May, and in a tight evenly matched group that meant there were plenty of connotations possible going into July, but both South Yorkshire & Potteries needed to win this month to keep their campaigns alive.
South Yorkshire did that very thing. Derbyshire were no match for them on their home banker green, Crookesmoor, and despite a great start by Louie Furniss who won 21-9, it was all downhill from there with the rest of the card all 21’s for South Yorkshire, as they cruised to a 72 shot home victory. This match was close for much of the day, as Derbyshire started well at Marehay BC, and after 8 blocks there was only 5 chalks in it, but as South Yorkshire strong cards continued at home, Ashley Walton & Jack Wareing won tight games to keep South Yorkshire’s deficit in Derbyshire to 48, and a total 24 shot win.
So with Derbyshire and South Yorkshire both one win from two, this gave the others an opportunity, Potteries to make it one win all round and throw the group wide open, or for North Midlands to make it two from two and gain a key match and aggregate advantage going into July.
Both chose iconic strong home greens, Florence Tennis & Bowls No.1. & Coundon No.2. and as such both matches were dominated by the home team. North Midlands carded an almost perfect 247 on Coundon with strong wins for Noel Bates, Darren Day & Anton Davies and an overall 84 shot home win. But Potteries kept pace with them with a strong start and a 21-5 win for Joe Melvin in the middle order. Like the other group fixture, after 8 blocks, it was neck and neck. The decisive card was North Midlands’s Shane Day who won 21-6 on Florence, and gave the North Mids an overall 46 chalk win.
Despite Derbyshire and South Yorkshire gunning for them in July, the two wins already on the card and 100 shot aggregate advantage should see North Midlands through.
Group.3. fixtures produced two local derby’s in June and like Group.1. had first round losers and first round winners together.
Undoubtedly the winners of this group would be the winners of the June fixture between neighbours Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Staffordshire went for the venue of their 2023 Crossfield Cup Final win, Stafford Park while Shropshire went for the artificial surface at Allscott.
Despite good starts by both home teams, Shropshire took control in the middle of the match with Michael Beer, Martin Lloyd and Adam Jones pulling back most of the initial deficit in Stafford, while the middle order on Allscott kept the lead created by Jamie King, Scott Harries & Callum Wraight’s three early single figure wins. That trend continued, games were shared out on the Shropshire artificial surface while Shropshire’s Spencer Clarke and Andrew Armstrong continued to pile the misery onto the home side which eventually saw Shropshire win at both venues, 8 shots on Stafford Park and 62 shots at Allscott.
An extra win, a 74 shot advantage and a tie against North Lancs & Fylde should allow Shropshire to relax in July. But you never know….
The battle for Lancashire pride and local bragging rights went to Lancashire’s Garswood Hall and Stalmine in North Lancs, with the winner still having a small chance of qualification.
The game was dominated in the first half by Lancashire, with 9 of the first 12 cards across the two venues going their way, with the only resistance being a 21-5 at Stalmine for Steve Atkinson. Despite a spirited comeback at home, North Lancs couldn’t find the same form at Garswood where the home team took 5 of the last 6 and completed a win at both venues – 4 chalks in North Lancs & 42 chalks at home.
Ultimately, unless there’s a miracle, the tie between Lancashire & Staffordshire in July will determine who finishes second behind Shropshire.
The group of three, Group.4. always see’s the loser in May take on the team who didn’t play that month. This year that’s Greater Manchester v Merseyside. With Warwick & Worcester already dispatching Greater Manchester in May, a Merseyside win this month results in a direct shoot out for top spot in July.
Greater Manchester’s hope was to bash Merseyside and then hope Merseyside return the favour and bash Warwick & Worcester, the result being that every team wins one game and the aggregate becomes the decider.
Manchester went to Springhead Sports & Liberal Club while Merseyside went to Tixall. Merseyside had a strong start at Tixall via John Finch’s 21-3 but it wasn’t continued down the card, with Manchester taking six winners and holding Merseyside to a 16 point victory. While over at Springhead Jack Hargreaves and Anthony Walkers single figure wins and an overall nine winners to Merseyside’s three gave Manchester a combined 46 shot win.
The mathematics (I think) to prevent a Warwick & Worcester semi-final spot, a Merseyside win over them by 35-51 sees Manchester through, 52 plus sees Merseyside through. Let’s be honest, neither are very likely.
Congratulations to all winning teams. See you all in July after all the questions have been answered. As of today, smart money is a final four of Yorkshire, North Midlands, Shropshire & Warwick & Worcester.
Full results can be found on the Men’s County Championship Competitions Page.