Thanks to Jeanette Higham for this report.

In this, our Centenary year, the Senior Welsh Merit was held in Flintshire at Argoed Bowling Club and hosted by President, Peter Higham. Simon Walker and Gareth Hughes expertly ran the competition all day whilst WCGBA Management members, Sandra and Ron West together with Pauline Lindley lent their usual firm support for the event.

Referees included DT Evans, Arthur Peake and Jonathan Hughes – who was to referee his first major Welsh tournament final later in the day.

Of the 32 entries in action this year, were seven former holders of the title.

In Round 1, James Todd, John Bailey and Graham Bennett all got off to a strong start. Their opponents, especially for James and John, were to put up a spirited resistance as their matches progressed. James eventually won 21-17 over Steve Dace and John won 21-19 over Carl Griffiths. Graham faired better with a good lead which he held onto and won 21-9 over Dan Jones. Leighton Roberts had a tough one with Liam Badwick but won 21-20. Other players who triumphed to enter the last 16 were Geraint Booth, Andy Delooze, Jason Jones, Joe Pritchard, Ian Dutton, Owen Jackson, Dave Jones, Elfyn Wynn Jones, Ian Formstone, Kris Fearnley, Chris Charlton and Martin Jones. It shows the quality of the players competing in that there were few single figure results.

Round 2. James Todd kept up his great form to beat Graham Bennett 21-14. John Bailey met a determined and dynamic Owen Jackson, who gave him a tough match. In the end Owen won 21-13. Leighton carried all before him to beat Dave Jones 21-7 whilst Geraint Booth, Jason Jones, Elfyn, Kris Fearnley and Chris Charlton all made it through.

In the Quarter final matches, Leighton beat Geraint 21-14, Jason, after a shaky start, beat Elfyn 21-13 and Chris C beat Kris F 21-16. Perhaps the most fascinating match of this round was the tie between Owen and James. They started close in the scoring, before Owen went 15-8 up. James caught up with some fine bowling to make the score an even 18 across. It was all to play for, and James dug in to win 21-19 in the end.

At the Semi-Final stage we had a representative from each of the four areas of the Welsh crown green world. Both matches began with little to separate the players in terms of the scores. Leighton continued to show superb form leading out 12-6 at one stage over James Todd. James soon caught up to go one chalk behind 12-11. Leighton, however was not about to let go and finished his Semi 21-14. A more measured game was played between Jason Jones and Chris Charlton. Veterans of the game as they are, they took their time before delivering their woods. In the end, Chris found a mark he played to perfection and was soon 17-6 up. Despite his best efforts, Jason lost 21-10.

So, an interesting final remained. Leighton and Chris would give us much entertainment. For 23 of the 28 ends they played, the points and the lead shifted between them. At 15 – 14 to Chris it looked ‘in the bag’, but Leighton found something from somewhere to make the score 18 across. Chris has played for Wales for many years and has won a fair few competitions, but not the Welsh Merit. However, the gods of Crown Green favour the brave and he played on steadily to win 21-18.

Chris, Leighton, James Todd, Jason Jones and Kris Fearnley all qualify to enter the BCGBA Merit next month. Can’t wait!

WCGBA President Peter Higham presents Chris Charlton with the Trophy