WELSH CROWN GREEN BOWLING ASSOCIATION

The 2019 season reached its culmination with the Welsh Champion of Champions tournament held at Abergele BC on Sunday 6th October. The day was hosted by WCGBA President, Dave Mathias, in his last role as President and run by Dusia Price , Glyndwr Area. Our Referees were DT Evans, Alan Davies, Arthur Peake and Peter Hayes.
The field of sixteen players featured champions from a number of Welsh events throughout the year including the prestigious Merits and a variety of qualifying competitions.

Game one saw the 2019 Welsh Vet’s Merit winner pitted against the 2019 Welsh Junior Merit winner, where Gary Roberts’ experience won out to a 21-11 victory. Steve Lawley (Coast League Div 1 Average winner) and Chris Eccles ( Trefnant Singles) in games two and three respectively also started well. Paul Hallett (Wrexham Premier Div Merit Winner) and Geraint Booth ( WCGBA Senior Merit winner) were more evenly matched. Steve won his game 21-10 whilst Chris was to lose 21-17 to Sheila Wilson from Macclesfield, (Ladies Rose Bowl Colwyn Bay Festival winner) 21-17. Geraint eventually pulled away to win 21-14.

The second half of the draw saw wins for Llewelyn Griffiths (Llanfair PG Floodlit winner) 21-10, Jason Jones ( Welsh Counties Averages Winner) 21-16 and Robin Bennett ( Field Cup Gresford Village winner) 21-14. At game six, spectators were treated to some top class play from well known Callum Wraight ( Bill Hughes Colwyn Bay Festival winner) who won his game 21-13.

In the second round, Gary Roberts had a comfortable win 21-14 over Steve Lawley. Sheila Wilson was to lose 21-11 to Geraint Booth who led well from the start of their match, and was to stay ahead all the way. Callum breezed through with a 21-9 win over Llewelyn Griffiths. Robin Bennett and Jason Jones’ game was the closest and most exciting of this quarter final section. It really could have gone either way. Jason won out to 21-18.

In the first semi final, Gary Roberts was on a roll. Geraint seemed unable to break Gary’s progress to a 21-7 win. In the second semi final Jason had plenty of work to do against the ever entertaining Callum. Some superb bowling was on offer from both players. Callum, known for his breathtaking and heart stopping striking drew gasps and from the crowd, with one of his opponents woods ending up in the car park and the residents in the churchyard next to the green having a disturbed afternoon. It was a delight for local club bowlers to see play at such a high level. Callum has won no fewer than fifteen singles titles across Britain this season but was unable to find his total mojo and lost to Jason 21-19.

The final was set between Gary and Jason, who was going for his second stab at the title. Even with a home advantage handicap Jason edged away at the start to be 12-7 up. Despite a spirited come back by Gary to bring the score 16 across it would not be enough. Further hits and misses from both players brought the game 20-18 to Jason. The final end was to be his 21-18. Jason was presented with the trophy for the second time by WCGBA President Dave Mathias.

 

The photos show all 16 contenders for the above event; the winner Jason Jones with WCGBA President, Dave Mathias, and a photo of Callum Wraight.