Les & Mel Evans MBE Memorial Classic

Below is a report by competition organiser and our treasurer Lynn Pritchatt.

After a two year forced absence due to the Covid pandemic, this prestigious tournament on the Crown Green Bowling calendar made a return at its new home, Heath Hayes Constitutional Club in Cannock, Staffordshire. The event had been played at the famous Chadsmoor Bowling Club since 1981. In November 2019, despite tense battles and bids to retain the bowling green, the Club found out we were going to lose one of the finest bowling greens in Staffordshire. A venue that had Les , Doreen and Mel Evans almost inscribed in the fabric of the place, from the green itself to the surroundings carefully tendered by Doreen herself in earlier years. After several discussions, the decision was made as to where this popular tournament should be staged and when it came down to it there was one key place, Heath Hayes Constitutional Club. This venue was the first bowling green Mel was taken to by parents Les and Doreen as a six month old baby in his pram and was certainly a place where a very young Mel spent a lot of his time. It was also the venue where, as proud captain, Mel was presented with the Crosfield Cup when Staffordshire defeated Warwick & Worcester in a well fought battle in 1996. Weeks of preparation and planning were all brought together yesterday as the sun shone down on everyone.

Despite a few last minute changes to the original starting line-up, we amassed a quality 32 competitors who had travelled from Shropshire, Birmingham, Warrington, Derbyshire, Wales and Staffordshire. The top half of the draw was littered with talent including arguably the games current number one player Callum Wraight, one of Staffordshire’s prolific tournament players Scott Simpson, former Waterloo Champion Jon Palmer, Cheshire star Lee Johnstone and of course our 2022 champion Michael Beer. The bottom half of the draw was equally balanced when it came to ability. The start of the tournament bookies favourite Greg Smith was sure to be somewhere near the winner’s enclosure on a green he has some experience on having won an open contest on it, albeit a few years back. The bottom half also had Staffordshire stalwart and former champion Gordon Hawkins, North Midlands star Darren Plenderleith, reigning champion Shropshire’s Wayne Rogers, the legend that is Tommy Johnstone and the ever popular Anthony Bracken.

In his opening match, Michael Beer overcame late entry David Kirby from Preston 21-13. David jumped at the opportunity to travel down the M6 at relatively short notice and play in this special tournament. On speaking to him later in the day I know he enjoyed his visit and time spent with us Midlanders. In his second round match, Michael faced one of the top tournament players and panel bowler on the circuit currently in the shape of the likeable man from Warrington Lee Johnstone. A close fought battle ensued with Mike just getting over the line with a 21-19 win. In the quarter final Mike was up against one of Staffordshire’s most capped county men Chris Ward with Mike earning himself his semi final place with a 21-17 victory. The semi final saw Mike face one of Staffordshire’s current county and competition players in the shape of Scott Simpson (Willenhall Nordley). Up to this point both had been playing well and it promised to be a closely fought contest. It was to be the Shropshire star who would eventually bag himself a 21-16 win to secure a place in the final.

In the bottom half of the draw, three-time champion Greg Smith used his skills to defeat two very good players in his opening two rounds, 2004 champion Gordon Hawkins and Shropshire’s Colin Beaman 21-12 and 21-11 respectively. Greg’s quarter final match was a closer affair against the ever popular Dan Petcher, with Greg just getting home with a 21-17 victory. In his semi final Greg faced one of the tournaments’ debutantes in former Staffordshire Merit winner Nick Wyer. Nick had impressed in his first two matches defeating the other tournament debutantes Tom Skidmore and Russ Prosser 21-13 and 21-17 respectively. Sadly the semi final was where Nick’s run of success ran out as Greg moved to earn his fourth final place with a 21-10 win.

The stage was set for a Beer v Smith final showdown with bookie Billy running for the hills with either player lifting the coveted title. Mike Beer was first out of the starting blocks dominating the game from the outset. Greg could not find the lead bowls he had punished his previous opponents with all day. A glimmer of hope came when, trailing 3-9, Greg played a perfect through bowl to run the jack and count two. At 5-9 with jack in hand the crowd were sure Greg was about to fire up his extra reserves we have so often seen and become accustomed to. Mike continued to pile the pressure on Greg and earned himself a 21-11 victory. 2022 was to be Mike Beer’s year, having come close on the famous Chadsmoor greens in previous years. Shropshire players have become accustomed to winning this prestigious event as Mike joined previous champions Peter Farmer, Callum Wraight and Wayne Rogers in the winner’s enclosure.

From the organising team well done to you Mike Beer. Tournaments of this nature cannot take place without the support of several people. Huge thanks must go to Colin Hayward and his team at Heath Hayes for welcoming the event to its new home and I know Heath Hayes viewed it as an absolute honour to stage the event that bears both Les and Mel’s names. Heath Hayes are experienced at staging top quality days like yesterday and certainly pulled out all the stops to make the ‘house-move’ a successful one. Events of this nature do not run without the right financial backing and support. Special thanks go to our sponsors Horton Leisure, Verite, C&L Cox Carpets and Flooring Specialists, The Mel Evans MBE Foundation and Lynn Pritchatt. Thanks also goes to a variety of companies who kindly donated good quality raffle prizes, including Maguire Funeral Directors who kindly donated £100 M&S vouchers, Country Garden Roses who donated a personalised rose entitled ‘Winner Takes It All’, Monmore Green Greyhound Stadium, Sainsbury’s and Thurston Bowls and Snooker to name a few. Of course all the effort requires players and spectators to be appropriately fed and watered and we were all certainly well looked after by Tracy, Julie and Sally who worked hard all day. Thank you so much ladies for your help and support. Finally, many thanks to referees Evelyn Hastings, John Andrews and their team, along with volunteer markers, for ensuring the event ran smoothly and for readily giving up their time to join us for the day.

In 2022 we have welcomed a new addition to the tournament in the shape of a £50 Highest Break prize, very kindly sponsored by David and Phil May. This was split between Scott Simpson and Greg Smith who produced runs of 13 to share the spoils. Thank you to David May for supporting with this very kind gesture. Phil was a frequent visitor to the Chadsmoor Green and always supported the event and is very sadly missed. An emotionally charged day was at an end. All Mel ever wanted to do was put a smile on people’s faces, ensure they had a good time and were warmly welcomed at any event he had charge of. I will never get used to Mel not being at the helm, doing what he loved and was so fantastically brilliant at. All I care about is that Mel’s legacy lives on and days like yesterday are a big part of that goal. I hope we did you proud my darling Mel.

Mike receives the trophy off Lynn.