Easter Monday 2026 will surely go down as one of the sunniest day’s we have had for a good while. After the chill of the early morning had evaporated, we all enjoyed a beautifully sunny day for this special event that is one of the early tournaments that kicks off the new bowls season.
The 2026 line up of 32 male competitors comprised a mix of youth, senior experience and debutantes playing in the event for the first time. Add into that arguably the sport’s two current top players, we were surely in for a great day’s bowling.
The top half of the draw had reigning champion Daniel Petcher, fresh from his Meole Brace Open victory the day before. Callum Wraight has got out of the starting blocks of his 2026 season in fine form, with wins in three of his early season events. It was Callum who was to emerge from the top half of the draw to take his place in the final, something he had not done since his successes on the fantastic Chadsmoor green. Callum’s opener was against Staffordshire’s Spencer McCarthy. At 19-18 Spencer needed to continue his good form to pull off the day’s first major upset. However, Callum showed his experience with a double and a single to earn a 21-19 win. Callum’s 2nd round tie with another Staffordshire County player Aaron Tapper was yet again to be a close encounter. Aaron led Callum 18-11 and spectators were asking was this to be the time for a major upset. Callum had other ideas, picking up two doubles and 3 singles to level 18-18. Callum eventually got himself into the quarter final with a 21-19 win. Clearly not totally happy with his performance in his first two matches, the quarter final saw Callum change his bowls for the 2nd time. His quarter final opponent was Cheshire player Ben Phillips. Callum was always in control and had found a set of bowls that were liking the heavy going of the Hawkins Sports green. Callum earned his place in the semi final with a 21-15 victory. In his semi-final, Callum faced young Derbyshire star Josh Furniss. Callum was always in control of the match and becoming increasingly comfortable with the bowls he was using, earned his place in the final with a 21-16 win.
The bottom half of the draw contained several Staffordshire County players, debutantes Tom Clamp and Ed Furniss, the highly experienced Josh Mordue, Wayne Ditchfield and Darren Plenderleith. Oh, and record-holding 5-time champion Greg Smith. It would be a brave person to bet against Greg emerging to secure his place in the final against his arch nemesis. Greg’s opener was against North Lancs & Fylde debutante Tom Clamp. Tom had been thrown into the lion’s den coming in as substitute for his Dad Steve Clamp, North Lancs & Flyde County player and BCGBA Board Member. Tom was holding his own at 11-12 but then Greg unleashed a barrage of winning ends to run out 21-11 victor. Greg’s 2nd round opponent was Staffordshire’s Reece Farr. On this occasion Reece was no match for Greg, with Greg taking 16 ends to earn a 21-4 win. In his quarter final, Greg was paired with Staffordshire legend Chris Ward. Greg raced to a 7-0 lead, one which Chris was unable to recover from and proved costly with Greg victorious with a 21-13 win. Greg’s semi-final clash with prolific tournament player Darren Plenderleith was a much closer affair. The match was nip and tuck all through and at 19-16 Greg had an opportunity to close the match. Showing his fighting qualities, Darren won the next three ends with two singles and a double to take the lead 20-19. The quality of this match did not see either competitor deserve to lose but it was Greg to emerge victorious with a 21-20 win and a place in the final.
The stage was set. The final that perhaps many predicted when the draw came out. Callum Wraight v Greg Smith, the equivalent of a heavy weight contest in another sport.
The final, as predicted, was a close encounter at 4-4, 6-6 with Callum making the first break to lead 13-7. Callum’s lead extended to 18-9 and it was looking ominous for the 5-time champion. At 19-16 to Callum, we potentially had a very tasty end to this terrific final between two players who have brought so much entertainment to spectators over the last 15 years or more. It was the Shropshire man, the in-form Callum Wraight who earned a 21-16 win and take the prestigious title for the fourth time. In his winning speech, Callum laid down a friendly challenge to Greg that he was on the charge to equal Greg’s 5 titles in a tournament that means a lot to both players. I for one certainly would not bet against that happening!
Congratulations to our 2026 champion Callum Wraight and commiserations to gallant runner-up Greg Smith.
As always, events like this cannot be successful without the efforts of many people. Thank you to our sponsors who once again have generously supported this event. Thank you to all the markers and measurers for enabling the tournament to run smoothly. Thank you to our hosts Hawkins Sports and Social Club for your support and hospitality. Thank you to my good friends Sarah Combellack and Julie Smith for organising the raffle. All the effort requires us all to be well fed and watered and so big thanks to my other good friends Tracey Baker and Julie Montague who worked hard in the kitchen all day to keep us all well looked after. Thank you to Joe-Michael Dicken who spontaneously did a live-stream in the final, attracting over 450 viewers. Finally, thank you to our fabulous referee. Evelyn Hastings worked hard all day in her usual professional manner. Always there when you need her but letting the players get on with it in their own way.
As the sun set on another amazing day, it is always an event for me personally that is filled with emotion, love and friendship. A day that should have Mel at the helm, running this very special tournament in honour of his Father Les. Mel was an absolute perfectionist when it came to his involvement in anything he put his name to. I hope we did you proud sweetheart and you and Dad were looking down with pride that this event, now in it’s 45th year of running, still holds strong today.
The day raised £700 for research into Motor Neurone Disease. Thank you to everyone who so generously donated
The Les/Mel Evans MBE Invitation Classic returns on Easter Monday 29th March 2027.
