The 2022 Mel Evans MBE Trophy takes place at St Georges on Saturday quality bowlers from the north and south of the country battling for the coveted trophy from 10.30 a.m. in singles, doubles and triples on both greens in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association. The South side feature several of our bowlers, including Nordley trio Scott Simpson, Paul Evans and Ant Bracken, Greville captain Josh Hale and team mate Darren Plenderleith, the George’s Elliot McGuinness, Conor Chamberlain of Stretton Anglesey and the ladies trio of Jordan Picken from M&B Cheslyn Hay, Victoria Park’s Julie Alderman and Rachel Bennett from West Brom FSC. There are many of our former players in the line-up like Callum Wraight, Rich Goddard, Jon & Tom Palmer, Dan Petcher, and Gareth Herbert. The north have quality players like Simon Coupe, who plays Callum in the final Singles round in what promises to be a cracker of a game, Wayne Ditchfield, Phil Lee, Danny Barwise and many others.
The format and draw is below, there are one set of ladies and mens doubles and singles, and one set of triples, and then one final set of men’s singles at the end. There are 48 games in total, and the winner of each game gets a point towards their team’s total, with the first to 25 winning the trophy.
After the competition, an evening function takes place in the St Georges Social Club with Steve Bull MBE a guest speaker. Full details are below. If you would like a ticket please contact Lynn Pritchatt on 07808 157878.
A statement is below by St Georges’ Paul Beer.
St Georges Bowling Club have the privilege to host the long-awaited Mel Evans Trophy Event where the country’s top Crown Green Bowlers from the North & South will be fighting it out in aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND). The event starts at 10:30 am and will continue through to approximating 5:00pm. Scoring will be like the Ryder Cup 1 point for each game win (48 games triple’s, doubles and singles) and the first to 25 to claim the trophy.
Car Parking: Spectators’ will be off Church Road onto the small cricket pitch, Players and Officials will be down the lane by the church and parking by the Hockey pitch.
Plenty of refreshments available during the day, with a bar by the greens. Please note it is cash only for the event. Raffle prizes include a 50” TCL Smart TV and many more top prizes.
Bowlers and none bowlers all very welcome to join this massive event in the bowling calendar and support MND, its going to be a hot one so please take all precautions.
A statement by organiser Lynn Pritchatt is below:
The day is nearly upon us. A day that has been three years in the planning.
Tomorrow is about three priorities:-
1. Promoting the great sport that is Crown Green Bowls and watching some of the best players in our sport, male and female, showcase their skills. The players will be there to entertain and enjoy!
2. Raise awareness of, and vitally needed funds for, Motor Neurone Disease. A disease that has no effective treatments and no cure. Upon diagnosis the individual and their family are issued with a death sentence. Harsh words but so true.
3. Honouring and remembering Mel Evans MBE. A man who not only had a glittering playing career but also possessed organisational skills second to none and who was on the verge of bringing opportunities to our sport not seen in years at the point the unthinkable happened.
May I take this opportunity to wish all players and spectators a safe journey. St Georges are ready and a very warm welcome awaits you all.
