The 3rd running of the Naz Worthington Memorial comes to a conclusion this Sunday, with the action commencing at 1pm at Stretton Anglesey BC (DE13 0EQ). Like previous years, the burger van will be present in the courtyard and the bar will be open from 12. Tea/coffee and cake will be available in the pavilion. Scoreboards will be in operation and admission is FREE with programmes on sale for £1. Weather is set fine and all spectators are welcome!
Huge thank you again to our sponsors: Burton Environmental Services, DC Electrical, M&J Haulage, Tony Fagan & Sons, John Mills Curtains, Nicolas Humphrey’s Estate Agents, JI Installations, Knightsbridge Solutions, Paul Chamberlain and Jimmy Derby.
Onto the runners and riders:
1. Lee Brown – ‘Bomber’ had a fantastic start to the season, captaining his club team Fenton Private to lift the ‘World’ Club Championship in March. Lee has an unorthodox style but he is highly rated in the Midlands and over recent years has fast become one of the best players in the Potteries. Striking is a massive part of Lee’s game and it’s safe to say his trademark red bowls have been in the wars! He is a great character and will be a popular winner should he claim the title on Sunday.
2. Ben Ryder – First thing that crossed my mind when ‘Moon’ qualified was, it’s going to be a nightmare fitting his head on the programme. Ben showed a lot of promise as a junior and is finally fulfilling his potential as he is now one of the first names on the sheet for Derbyshire. Speaking of which, Ben put in a great performance on the same pitch in last weeks semi-final, when he won his first game in what seems about 10 weeks. On a serious note Ben is a good pal of mine who is more than capable of a run on Sunday on one of his favourite pitches.
3. Dave Worthington – Dave travelled down from North Lancashire to the Anglesey for the first time this year and arguably played the best of anyone to qualify beating 3 county players in the process. Dave sweeps them out left handed and seems to have a good all round game which can trouble anybody. He is a great guy and if he finds the form he showed in qualifying, could take some stopping and represents a bit of value in the top half of the draw.
4. Andy Stretton – ‘Toilet’ was shit-hot in qualifying and may have surprised a few when he swept through the field with ease a couple of weeks ago. Strett comes from a great bowling family and has represented various clubs in the local leagues for decades, including a brief stint at the Anglesey. Strett is a great character on and off the pitch and will certainly have a lion share of the local support on Sunday.
5. Ben Percival – It is the 2nd time that ‘Shaft’ has qualified but the first time he is actually playing in finals day. Ben is one of North Midlands best players and will sure have a lot of travelling support from the Atherstone Cons hierarchy. He has won comps outside of his county before when he took home the prestigious West Brom Open title in 2017, he also went close again this year when dipping out in the final. Ben isn’t short of confidence and won’t be phased about going up against one of the game’s best.
6. Greg Smith – Greg entered for the first time this year and goes off favourite, like he does most places. He has entered a bit more again this year and has already won a big comp at Ribblesdale and Castle Private. He looked dead and buried in qualifying but managed to get out against the odds playing marks I’ve never seen anyone play. He’ll fancy his chances to add this to his long list of comp wins.
7. Paul Bailey – ‘Bails’ has been in great form this year reaching multiple finals, including the Isle of Man in June and more recently the Craig Roberts Invitation in North Wales. He also reached a final on the Anglesey in the club’s previous competition in the early 2000’s. Bails qualified last week in the final qualifier, putting up with monsoon conditions. Dry conditions should mean it is very different this weekend but he is more than capable of adapting. Some say Bails is a better ref than player these days, but I’m not so sure!
8. Scott Simpson – Runner-up in 2021 and Scott has never failed to qualify for finals day – he evidently likes the pitch. Scott will be on a high after recently leading his Staffs team to victory in the county semi-final last week. He is a serial winner across the Midlands and if his trademark corner game is in full flow, then he will be very difficult to stop.
9. Matt Hill – I have known Matt since juniors and he has always been a good player, he is the 2nd member of Fenton’s World Club winning team to make it through. Matt has been on the green a few times now and is evidently getting more comfortable, he is another one who beat 3 county players to make it through to Sunday. At 20/1, perhaps he represents the value of the bottom half.
10. Jordie Baddeley – Seems like an age since Jordie qualified on the first date and it is the 2nd year in a row that he has made it through. A North Midlands regular who has also made a successful transition to the W&W league this year. If he manages to win this on Sunday, there’ll be no red wine left in Stretton!
11. Dan Petcher – Most would say that ‘Petch’ is the best chance of a local winner on Sunday. Dan is a quality player who has won in multiple counties including the 31up Charlie Tatt at the Waterloo. Also in decent form this year dipping out in the final of Sandal where he also broke his notorious duck with Callum. My nap of the day is for Petch to call heads when tossing up.
12. Darren Plenderleith – ‘Shark’ has been out of action after skipping off the green when he felt a drop of rain a few months ago and snapping his achilles. He hasn’t played since but this week, with the help of a couple of plungers on his crutches, he has found a way to play this Sunday. Plenders is the ultimate competitor and was runner-up last year but admittedly he is just happy to be able to take part this year. It can’t happen, can it?
13. Elliot McGuinness – ‘Bodger’ is a good friend of mine who has won his fair share of comps across the Midlands including West Brom and the Tony Pagett at Cradley. Of all the players from out of county, Bodger has probably been on the pitch the most and I even managed to carry him in a member/guest a couple of years ago. I’m sure the crowds will be flooding in to see Bodger’s speciality 40 yard round pegs in action. My tip to have a run, so avoid like the plague.
14. Ady Cheadle – ‘Chead’ probably knows the most of anyone in the field about the Anglesey pitch, being an ex homester. Ady has always been a very good local player who recently had a spell out the game. He looks as keen as ever, putting himself out there – playing in other counties and will fancy this battle of the left handers.
15. Ryan Clark – Ryan qualified last week in horror conditions, but took to the pitch well on his first visit. He is very highly rated in South Yorkshire and won the prestigious comp at Spen a few years ago. He could have had easier draws but playing the 2x holder won’t bother him and he’ll be confident he can provide an upset.
16. Callum Wraight – ‘Calpol’ is unbeaten on the pitch winning the competition the last 2 years with his record now standing at 17-0. He was in trouble a couple of times in qualifying but always seems to find a way to win. Callum is enjoying another great season having already won West Brom and Hadfield amongst multiple one dayers. Perhaps his best victory of the year was the consolation competition at the Fleetwood Festival. Not many would back against Callum making it 3 in a row.
Come down and watch some quality bowls at, in my opinion, one of the best 1 green venues in the game.
The full draw and odds are here.
