The first Qualifying Session for the Woodfield Open 2023 is on Saturday 15th April.
The times for the session are as follows:
Breakfast food from 09:00am
Practice from 09:30am
Start at 10:00am
Games will run one after the other until the Qualifying games, when all 8 players will start at the same time.
The field is as follows:
Ian Hopson (Bylet)
- When ‘Hoppy’ can’t be found on the island above the River Severn he is most likely playing near his roots, and Sedgley Ex-Servicemans Club. A well established bowler in Shropshire and the West Midlands. Has every chance of making a good run.
Kirk Stevens (Combswood)
- Loves playing on Woodfield, especially when he draws a certain Mr. Smith. Not everyone can put 6 inch bowls in the corners on the green, let alone beat ones that were put there first. Expect Kirk to do well, as he always does. Just a shame he’s left handed really.
Darren Plenderleith (Greville Arms)
- Le ‘Shark’ as he is more commonly known. Plastered the green when he played last year and found himself a nice mark to suit. You know when he’s playing well as he trots gracefully after his bowl followed by a vicious swing of the arm. Has to be against the rules surely!
Ben Harris (Hamstead Social)
- Benji was swarmed by an impressive Kevin Keary upon his visit to the green last season, so didn’t get much of a look in to play his best stuff. Normally strikes about 50 times per game and hits 51 of them. Probably hoping John Newey doesn’t turn up to remind him of their game on Hamstead last year.
Mike Tunstall (Langley)
- Had my fair share of meetings last year with Tunners and got to witness first-hand the amount of bad luck which follows him around on a bowling green. Yes it really is true! Mike has put in a special request for us to provide some extra crusty cobs for his visit, and a cake for Dave McDermotts birthday. How nice!
Matt Gilmore (Manor Road)
- It took an impressive Jay Wyatt to stop Matt on his way to qualification last year. By far the furthest traveller I had, Matt’s dedication to the game can be represented through the countless titles he has won alongside the infamous two All Englands. The red bowls will grace the Wolverhampton green in just a few weeks time.
Cody Everitt (M&B Cheslyn Hay)
- Has played bowls for years now and still forgets to stand on the mat, unbelievable! Has some family history on Woodfield as father Richard Everitt was a regular at the club for a period of time. A very well established bowler who plays at the highest standard and pushes himself to be the best he can. (He told me to say that).
Gavin Dunkley (Moseley CC)
- Gav is a proven quality bowler in the Warwick and Worcester area. Always plays our green to a high standard when Moseley visit on Monday nights. A player who I expect to start off as consistently as he normally does and prove to be challenge for whoever he plays on the day. One to watch definitely.
James Seville (Moseley CC)
- When ‘Sev’ isn’t smiling he’s… I don’t know actually he’s always smiling! A high quality player who always has strong performances in all competitions and smiles his way through each round. Sorry did I mention that Sev smiles a lot? Seems to find gaps that don’t exist, I think your bad luck might be on par with Tunners’ James! Will have a good run no doubt.
Colin Bastable (Royal Oak)
- Colin is turning into a solid player in his own right and his improvement has been significantly bolstered by the folks at the Oak who know their way around a bowling green to some tune. Had a lot of time on the greens during winter time thanks to Carol Vernon and the Stockingford winter league. Not sure how much he has seen Woodfield but I expect him to play well.
Stephen Lediard (Royal Oak)
- Steve is a fellow member of the Royal Oak alongside Colin. No better place to play your bowls than on this carpet of a green. Just like Colin I’m not sure how often Steve has seen the green but I expect him to pick it up fairly quickly if the answer to the question is that he hasn’t seen it much.
Conor Chamberlain (Stretton Anglesey)
- ‘Chambo’ needs no introduction really. Runs well in almost every competition he plays in and is one of the most established Derbyshire county players. The swooping delivery will prove a challenge for whoever he faces on the day. Being the quality player he is I expect Conor to push for qualifying. Don’t think there’s anymore to say really. Oh yeah there is one thing…. Glynn Storer wants his bowls back!
David Semper (Willenhall Nordley)
- Our ‘Cherry’ is always a formidable player on Woodfield. Being an ex homie he will always be difficult to shift on the green and it usually takes a superior performance from whoever he plays to get over the line against Dave. Being the only Nordley man in the field this week, he will be looking to fly the flag for the team solo.
Grant Cooper (Woodman Mount Pleasant)
- Another bowler who plays with the wrong hand, and often looks like he’s about to fall over when he’s sending his bowls. Part of the illusive Staffordshire Premier champions of last season, Grant loves Woodfield. Probably a good job really as he’s bound to have a tough game no matter who he plays. An all round nice guy who will run close to making Finals Day without a doubt.
Nick Wyer (Woodman Mount Pleasant)
- Put Nick number 1 and the rest will fall into place. ‘BIG NICK’ has also had a spell sending his bowls at Woodfield before. Lost count of the amount of times I’ve had to fetch his bowls out of the bush in the bottom corner. If he could hit his strikes I wouldn’t have had to! Nick is a quality player, and will take some stopping.
Josh Cotton (Wrockwardine Wood)
- Josh is apart of the superior and ever-growing Shropshire Premier Champions Wrockwardine Wood side of last season. Winning a league of this standard by 54 points is incredible and ‘fingers’ played his part in helping the side to victory. Josh has developed into a very good player over the last few years and I expect him to do well here.
