DODDINGTON Shortmat Bowls Club are set to play for the Sharman Trophy for the first time in more than a decade, after the winners trophy, lost for 15 years, was found in an old cardboard box. The Sharman Trophy, named after the Cambs Times original owne

DODDINGTON Shortmat Bowls Club are set to play for the Sharman Trophy for the first time in more than a decade, after the winners' trophy, lost for 15 years, was found in an old cardboard box.

The Sharman Trophy, named after the Cambs Times' original owners, was donated to the newly-formed bowls club by the newspaper in 1987 and became the club's premier triples tournament.

However, following five years' competition, the tournament became a thing of the past when the winners' trophy was lost.

Club captain, Joe Peters said: "Over the years, many people left the club and so the trophy was almost forgotten.

"A few of us remembered the tournament and we always assumed that it must be around somewhere, but no-one had laid eyes on it for years."

The distinctive shield was eventually found earlier this year when a search for trophies got underway.

Joe said: "We were looking for any trophies that we could use for new competitions and one of our members told me that he had unearthed a box of stuff that may contain something useful."

He added: "The box had been stored for many years and when we opened it we saw the Sharman Trophy staring back at us.

"It was good to find it, particularly as my late wife, Pauline, was a member of the first team to win it in 1987."

Pauline Peters was joined by Alf Chilvers, who is still with the club, and Stan North in the team that originally won the Sharman Trophy.

The final winners seemed destined to be Mike North, John Scott and Rex Allebone in 1991 but now the club has resurrected the competition and on Sunday, September 10, new names will finally be added to the winners' trophy.

The competition will get underway at 10am and the winners will receive the trophy and a cash prize.