Senior Merit – 1 Day to Go – Preview

The day is almost here as 32 hopefuls look to land the Charles Beddard Trophy. There are 5 former winners in the competition looking to get their hands on it again. Pete Farmer has won it four times out of the 10 finals he’s reached, and will be looking to win it for a 5th time. He has Ash Wellings first game, who will provide tough opposition for him given how well he has progressed at Hanwood and into the county side recently, and has won the Junior Merit before. Callum Wraight starts as favourite, and has this week already won the Isle of Man Tourism, and plays team mate Paul Williams, who is looking for his first final after several near misses. Rich Goddard has won this twice, and takes on competition final debutant Michael Cooper, who won on the green last night in the Mid Shropshire League. The other two winners play each other at the top of the draw. Spencer Clarke won it in both 2018 and 2019, and Kiah Roberts in 2013, and play each other in potentially the tie of the 1st round.

There are three others who have reached the final, but not quite got their hands on the trophy. Rich Lawson is twice a former runner-up, and has Jesse James first game, a former Junior Merit runner-up. Keith Wall, in 1998, and Will Tarrell, in 2021, also know how to reach the final of this, and both meet first round. Tony Rhodes and Ian Gaut have both reached the Semi Finals before, and play Nick Davies and Andy Marshall respectively. Jamie King won the Newport Open on this green, and plays team mate Steve Roberts first game, while Josh Bradburn, who reached the Semi Final, will be looking to get one back on Mark Shore, who beat him 1st round of this last season. Scott Harries plays Martin Gaut which promises to be a good game between two good young county players, while there are two players from the Mid Shropshire League looking to upset the odds. Phil King plays Ben Hinton, doing well in the Premier League this season, and Harry Church, a former Junior Merit winner, takes on Simon Rhodes at the bottom of the draw. Scott Moseley won the County Handicap last month, and will aim to look for a double when he plays Ian MacDonald first round, while the person he beat in the final, Adie Rowe, has Craig Wilson first game. Craig’s Meole Brace team mate, Will Tyler, takes on Gary Beff, who has made the county squad given his recent good form at Chester Road.

There will be live scoring here. There will be also live videos of at least the Quarter Finals onwards on the Facebook page here.

Entry is £2, and there is a 16 page programme included (while stocks last).

There will be hot and cold food served there, with the bar open from 11.

Details on car parking is below.

There is limited parking at the green on the day, due to a cricket match being held at the same time. Newport BC have obtained permission from the Burton Borough School to use their School carpark, it is a short walk up the street (the other side of the cricket pitch), SAT NAV POSTCODE TF10 7DS

 

Blue Badge Holders will be able to park at the bowling club, please make sure you have your blue badge ready to show on entry.

 

We have also been informed that there will be a road closure on Sunday 25^th June between 10 am – 11am in the High street for the New Mayor’s civic service and parade.

Diversions will be signposted, but it would be best if those attending can avoid the high street during the morning. Access via other routes such as along station road. off the A518, then Granville Avenue will be unaffected. Please allow extra time for your journey on the day.