"It's generational thing" - Callum Wraight on chasing bowls records after latest triumph

He’s won everything there is to in the game and now it’s all about being viewed as one of the generational greats.

That’s the main motivation for the king of Shropshire bowls Callum Wraight, who continued his sensational start to the season by winning the West Brom Open for the second time.

So it wasn’t about the money as the 39-yeaer-old reflected on winning the £700 first prize in hostile territory by beating Warwick & Worcester ace Ryan Prosser 21-11 in the final.

“There’s not many comps that are steeped in history these days so to put my name on that trophy along with the likes of Brian Duncan, Noel Burrows, Stan Frith, Graeme Wilson and Simon Coupe is special to me,” he said. “It’s a generational thing to be up with there with bowlers like that.”

Not only that but the West Brom win secured his place in the Champion of Champions at Owley Wood in September and the new Blackpool Masters.

Wraight beat former Castlefields clubmate Clay Flattley 21-11 in the semi-finals after leading 19-3 and, but for one end, feels he could have won titles on four successive days over the Easter weekend.

He lost 21-19 to eventual champion Dan Petcher in the semi-finals of the Meole Open on the Sunday when the Derbyshire ace drew a nine inch bowl.

But having played 21 games in four days, using different sets of bowls to win an invitation 32 in Stockport and the Edgmond Open, Wraight really needed an energy surge for the final of the Les & Mel Evans Invitation at Hawkins Sports in Cannock.

And it came in the form of a final showdown with his great regional rival Greg Smith on the Monday.

“I was starting to feel it but I love playing him and it gave me a real adrenaline surge to produce a wonderful performance and win 21-16.”

The West Brom success came the day after Wraight and Fields team-mate Rhys Marshall qualified in the £4,000 Adderley Open, Tom Killen (Wrockwardine Wood) having got through to the finals of the Spring Waterloo at Fleetwood.

Norman Ford Memorial Invitation

He’s always been one of the best understated bowlers in Shropshire – and now Fred Bailey has a trophy to prove it.

The Wem USC stalwart won the Whitchurch League’s season-opening Norman Ford Memorial Invitation at Prees thanks to victory over Donna Bennett in the final.

Sunday’s competition saw 32 award winners from last season battle it out and it was Bailey who prevailed 21-13 in the key game against the Malpas Sports star.

Bailey, who has played more than 550 games in the Premier League and won many team honours with the Services, defeated Steve Edwards (Victoria) 21-18 in the semi-finals as Bennett got past young Ellesmere bowler Daniel Barney 21-11.

Allscott Heath Winter Bowling League

Each of the 21 teams that contested the second season of the Allscott Heath Winter Bowling League was a winner at its presentation evening.

Champions Shifnal received £1,000 for retaining the four-a-side title on the village club’s artificial green and those that finished from sixth down to bottom place all picked up £50 for their efforts.

“Congratulations once again to Shifnal for winning the league, but well done to Bylet (£500) and Allscott Avengers (£300) for finishing second and third respectively,” said Allscott’s bowls club chairman Chris Hawyard.

“A sincere thank you from me to each and every team and player for making the league what it is - it’s been a pleasure to host your games and I hope you all enjoyed the season.”

Shropshire star Callum Wraight was presented with a £300 prize as winner of the league averages after 20 straight wins and a plus aggregate of 315.

Allscott Heath quickly turned their attention to the summer season with a well attended coaching session delivered by Pauline Wilson, with support from Gill Owens and Paul Kalinauckas.