Gwyn Morris Senior Merit Qualifying
Flintshire and Wrexham
Revised draw including Llay players. Click on photo for full page
Mens 2017 Season
The four teams taking part were winners of their respective County Cups - Abergele (Glyndwr Area), Broughton (Flintshire Area), Beaumaris (Gwynedd Area) and Cunliffe (Wrexham Area).
Referees on the day were DT Evans (Beaumaris), Peter Hayes (St Asaph), Allen Davies (Rhos Park) and Ian Black (Holyhead).
The contest got off to an interesting start. After the first four blocks Broughton had notched up 66 points and Abergele 65. The rest of their tie remained fairly close to the end with Broughton just nudging ahead to finish on 147 to Abergele's 140.
In the other tie, Cunliffe had a full house for the first 5 games with 105 points to Beaumaris's 77. Cunliffe eventually finished on 144 and Beaumaris, after a spirited come back lost to 140.
In the final, after the first four blocks it was 73 points apiece. Broughton eventually went ahead to finish the day on 153 to Cunliffe's 138. Broughton are this years champions for the first time.
Results
Winning team Broughton and Bretton
Runners Up Cunliffe
Abergele
Beaumaris
Broughton again
 
The third round game in the County Championships was held Sunday 2nd July at Gresford Colliery BC for the home game and King George V BC in Warwick and Worcester for the away side.
In front of a good crowd, Deputy President for Wales, Brenda Jones hosted the afternoon and British Crown Green President, Phil Brown and his wife Kate also attended the match.
The Referee was Peter Fishwick ( Merseyside ) with Assistants Ashley Zepida and Jim Clarke on hand.
At Home in the first four, Wales had two wins and two losses. In game one Andrew Hughes (Cunliffe) led his country off to a good start beating Gareth Herbert 21-10 with Leighton Roberts (Esclusham) coming next with a close 21-19 win over Ant Aldridge. Arwel Davies (Cunliffe) and Geraint Williams (Ponciau Park) were not so lucky with Arwel losing 19-21 and Geraint 10-21.
In the second four, Adam Penlington (Broughton) gave us a few scary moments, with both players scoring off one another point for point but eventually Adam triumphed 21-18. Robin Bennett (Cunliffe) had a battle with Chris Burgin and lost 19-21. Joey Williams (Llay) had a spirited game against Anthony Bracken and won to 21-16. One of the best games of the afternoon was that between Darren Lacey (Esclusham) and Steve Darling. Consistent play led Darren to a very comfortable 21-13 victory. Wales won at Home by a mere point.
For the Away side, Wales could only secure one win, John Bonatti (Coed Talon) beating Adam Patrick 21-13. Jason Jones (Abergele) and Steve Dace (Min y Don) had very close games both losing 21-20 to two of Warwick and Worcesters' best players, Lee Kington and Paul Gamsby respectively. Wales lost by 80 Away. Wales Man of the Match was Andrew Hughes at the Home venue.
Whilst the 2017 season hasn't been a good one for Wales in the Endsleigh Senior competition, with the Selector making bold choices and some new faces. We also had a tough group draw. We can only look forward to the 2018 season. With a desire and willingness to play for your country, this is a championship after all where players and points matter – the only way is up.
Welsh Team at Gresford Colliery
Andrew Hughes (Cunliffe) MoM at Gresford Colliery
John Bonatti (Coed Talon) MoM at Warwick and Worcester
The Welsh Senior Merit Final ( The Gwyn Morris Trophy ) was held on Sunday 25th June at Trefnant Bowling Club. President, Danuta Price hosted the day and Clive Morris, son of Gwyn Morris, once again came to support the event. This competition has been held for over 90 years and still takes top place in the Welsh Crown Green calender. Referees on the day were DT Evans, Peter Hughes, Alan Davies and Arthur Peake.
Trefnant is a tricky green and the field of competitors, which included at least six former winners of the trophy, promised the spectators a day of excellent bowling. In the first round, most games were evenly matched with only two single figure wins. John Bailey (Llanrwst) had a tight game with Nick Hughes (Cunliffe) with Nick just getting the better of his opponent to win 21-18. The closest games at 21-20 were between Jason Jones (Abergele) and Lewis Scott (St Asaph) and Leighton Roberts (Esclusham) and Daniel Hughes (Llay) with Jason and Leighton the victors. Robin Bennett (Cunliffe) had an excellent game against Paul Richards (Llay) to win 21-19. Berwyn Williams (Dyserth) beat Colin Jones Jnr (Cunliffe) 21-18 and Roger Morgan (Craig y Don) had a convincing win over David Jones (Esclusham) 21-9.
In round two, Robin Bennett continued to play well and beat Gareth Buckland (Bangor) 21-17. Adam Penlington's (Broughton) sweeping style of delivery gave him a win over Berwyn Williams and Kieron Roberts (Esclusham) had a few scary moments but won out 21-20 against Geraint Booth (Llanfair PG).There was a commanding second round victory for Mark Whitely (Rhos Park) at 21-4 against Tommy Lowndes (Gresford Colliery).
By the quarter final stage there was only one former winner of the Trophy in the line up – Chris Slater (Colwyn Bay RBL). Robin Bennett beat Neale Charlton (Fron Park) to 21-18 and Young Kieron Roberts denied Chris Slater a place in the semi final beating him 21-17. Adam Penlington made short work of his game with Mark Whitely beating him to 21-8. Jason Jones also cruised to the semi final with a 21-3 win over Daniel Jones (Llanrwst).
In the semi final, with Robin Bennett looking to emulate his 'dear old Dad' Graham, who was last years' Champion, found a tough opponent in Kieron Roberts. Excellent bowling by both players resulted in a 21-19 win for Kieron. Adam was unable to find his earlier form and lost to a spirited Jason Jones 21-9.
The final presented spectators with a real treat. Kieron and Jason, both former Junior players, were out to claim the Champion's crown. The first few ends were touch and go, but Jason forged ahead to 18-10. Kieron would not be cowed by this impressive lead and pulled level to 19 across. There was strong support for both players and in the final moments of the game, whilst spectators held their breath, Kieron held his nerve and secured the points he needed to win 21-19. With such a high standard of play and very popular combatants it was a pity anyone had to lose.
Kieron and Jason, along with losing semi finalists Robin Bennett and Adam Penlington together with Daniel Jones from the quarter final round, go through to represent Wales at the British Senior Merit in North Midlands County in July. Kieron will also make an appearance at the Welsh and British Champion of Champions later in the season.
Merit Semi-Finalists
 
Merit Finalists
 
Merit Runner-up Jason Jones (Abergele)
 
Merit Pesentation to winner Kieron Roberts (Esclusham) by WCGBA President Dusia Price
 
2017 Merit Results
Nick Jones (Cunliffe) MoM at Shropshire
Robin Bennett (Cunliffe) Welsh MoM at Shropshire
Revised draw including Llay players. Click on photo for full page
Click on photo for full page
2015
Section One: Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Cumbria
Section Two: South Yorkshire, North Lancs & Fylde, North Midlands, Wales
Section Three: Potteries & District, Yorkshire, Warwick & Worcester, Merseyside
Section Four: Shropshire, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Staffordshire
2016
Section One: Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Potteries & District, Shropshire
Section Two: Derbyshire, North Lancs & Fylde, Merseyside, Isle of Man
Section Three: Cheshire, Wales, Yorkshire, Lancashire
Section Four: Cumbria, North Midlands, Warwick & Worcester, Staffordshire
2017
Section One: Greater Manchester, North Midlands, Yorkshire, Isle of Man
Section Two: Derbyshire, Wales, Warwick & Worcester, Shropshire
Section Three: Cumbria, South Yorkshire, Merseyside, Lancashire
Section Four: Cheshire, North Lancs & Fylde, Potteries & District, Staffordshire
2018
Section One: Greater Manchester, North Lancs & Fylde, Warwick & Worcester, Lancashire
Section Two: Cheshire, North Midlands, Merseyside, Shropshire
Section Three: Cumbria, Wales, Potteries & District, Isle of Man
Section Four: Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire
2019
Section One: Derbyshire, North Midlands, Potteries & District, Lancashire
Section Two: Cheshire, South Yorkshire, Warwick & Worcester, Isle of Man
Section Three: Cumbria, North Lancs & Fylde, Yorkshire, Shropshire
Section Four: Greater Manchester, Wales, Merseyside, Staffordshire