Sponsored by John Moores Trading Ltd, Stafford.

Saturday, 27th July 2024, is a day that Greg Smith will forever cherish... the day he triumphed as a two-time BCGBA Senior Individual Merit Champion.

As the sun dips below the horizon at the splendid Pennfields BC in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, let’s take a moment to reflect on what has become one of the most exhilarating days in the crown green bowling calendar.

A competitive field of 64 kicked off the day at 10am. Right from the start of the First Round, the Welsh players made a mark, with impressive victories from Bryn G Hughes and Frances Penlington. Also showcasing their skills early on were Martin Lloyd (Shropshire), Tom Eccles (Greater Manchester), and Alan Manuel (Lancashire), all achieving single-figure wins amidst the shifting weather. In the standout match of the First Round, Greg Smith (2013 Champion) faced Glyn Cookson (1997 Champion). With an outstanding performance, Greg secured a commanding 21-4 victory—was this an early sign of his dominance? More Yorkshire talent emerged as Gareth Coates and Michael Sweeney notched up significant wins in the First Round, alongside Stephen Pratt (North Midlands). As the first 32 blocks concluded, it was time for Round Two...

As the day unfolded, the crowds began to swell, and attention turned to Round Two, which featured an array of exciting games. Out of 16 matches, 9 were decided by margins of less than 6 chalks, particularly with some standout players from Round One exiting the competition. Chris Mordue showcased his exceptional form with a decisive 21-5 win over David Molyneux (Lancashire), while Gareth Coates also impressed by defeating Darren Naylorr (Cumbria) 21-6. However, the highlight of the round was undoubtedly the thrilling encounter between Robin Smith and Greg Smith. Despite a fiercely contested match, Greg narrowly secured victory with a score of 21-20, leaving Robin justifiably proud of his outstanding performance.

As we progressed to the Last 16, past champions began to demonstrate why they had earned that distinction. Chris Mordue secured his spot in the quarter-finals with a solid 21-15 win against Bryn G Hughes, while his teammate 'Pinky' Jon Edmondson triumphed over Cheshire's Andy Hamman with a score of 21-14. The 2021 Champion, Ross Dunkley, exhibited his skill by defeating Michael Sweeney 21-12, and Greg returned to his winning ways with a commanding 21-6 victory over Lyndon Carr (NL&F).

The Pennfields venue basked in glorious summer sunlight as we entered the Quarter-Finals. The anticipated clash between Pudsey stalwarts Chris Mordue and Jon Edmondson tilted in favor of the 2018 Champion, with a score of 21-14. Meanwhile, Lee Longland (NL&F), who had quietly navigated through the rounds with impressive bowling, triumphed over Baz Lowden (Cumbria) in an exhilarating match that ended 21-19. Ross Dunkley maintained his momentum with a convincing 21-11 win against Matt Horton (North Midlands), securing his place in the Semi-Finals. The last Quarter-Final featured two bookmaker favorites; however, Greg put forth a dominant performance, defeating Gareth Coates 21-5.

The Semi-Finals presented a showdown featuring three former Champions alongside NL&F County Merit Champion, Lee Longland. With 100/1 odds against him, could Lee pull off an upset? Unfortunately, it proved to be a step too far as Chris showcased his consistency, emerging victorious with a score of 21-15. Despite the Semi-Final defeat, Lee had much to be proud of. The other Semi-Final saw the talented pair of Greg and Ross, who share Warwick and Worcester ties, battle it out. A tightly contested match concluded with Greg moving forward to the Final, winning 21-17.

And so it came down to Chris Mordue versus Greg Smith—the 2013 Champion facing off against the 2018 Champion. Who would emerge victorious for a second time? The audience was in for a thrilling spectacle, including hundreds tuning in to the YouTube live stream by Steve Davies and Andy Cairns. Ultimately, there could be only one champion that day, and it was Greg who claimed the crown with an impressive performance, sealing a 21-12 victory.

Now, the anticipation builds for the 'Champion of Champions' in September.