Highlights
The earliest reference to be found which mentions the origin of the WCGBA is a small article in a North Wales newspaper of 1925.
Clubs from Wales played friendlies with English counties before this date, but there was no umbrella organisation covering Crown Green in Wales.
In early 1926 a provisional committee was set up to further the idea of an overall organisation and a suggestion for its title. Provision for a major competition was also discussed which later became the Welsh Merit.The organisation was then known as the North Wales Amateur Bowling Association – a title that did not change until 1975.
It was not until 1951 that Wales officially joined the BCGBA and was then invited to join English counties for the first time in the Men’s Senior County championships.
Above: The earliest reference to Crown Green Bowls in Wales in 1925.
Above: North Wales v Warwick & Worcester 1954 in the BCGBA Men’s Senior County Championship.
Above: Welsh Ladies, the Mavis Dearden Supplementary County Champions – 2026, with Sue Pugh, BCGBA Ladies President.
Throughout its time in the county competitions Wales have had mixed fortunes.
However, Wales teams have won the Supplementary category several times in the Men’s, Ladies and Junior sections of the sport, with the ladies having the most recent success in the Mavis Dearden Trophy 2025.
Individual performances by Welsh players rank with the best.
Cliff Littlehales was the first Welshman to win the BCGBA Merit in 1958, followed by Eric Ashton 1959, Jack Hunt 1979 and Mike Riley 2011.
For the ladies, Betty Phillips won the BCGLBA Merit in 2006, Sarah Hey 2007, Linda Williams 2012 and 2024 and Sarah Nicolas 2018.
British Junior Merit has been won by Geraint Jones 1976, Martin Hallimwell 1981, Andrew Armstrong 2016, Mathew Worden 2018 and Ryan P Williams 2022.
British Junior Ladies from Wales include Courtney Metcalfe 2013 and Jess Lacey who has won this competition 2023 and 2024.
In the Champion of Champions, John Bailey won the Men’s Seniors title in 2007. The Ladies title was won by Nicola Dolby 2005 and 2007, Linda Williams 2010.
Wales’s only success in the British Vets came from Merwyn Williams in 2011.
There have also been five British Presidents from Wales, Llewelyn Lloyd 1966, Ray Springfield 1976, Gwyn Morris 1986, Mel Higham 2001 and Peter Higham 2016.
Also a Ladies President, Brenda Jones 2008. Wales have much to celebrate.
To mark 100 years of the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association, a unique, once in a lifetime, competition was staged at Llay Miners Welfare Bowling Club on Sunday 31st May.
Host, Peter Higham President of the WCGBA welcomed players and spectators to the event. Welcomed guests included BCGBA President, Steve Davies and BCGBA Brian Renton. Also attending were Joanna Owen from Bowls Wales, and Deputy Chairman of Wrexham Council, Jeremy Newton.
Our referees for the day included Arthur Peake, DT Evans, Alan Davies, Jonathan Hughes and Peter Hughes, all from Wales. We were delighted to have three guest referees from the BCGRS Mary and Peter Fishwick, Merseyside and Keith Andrews from Lancashire.
Among the competitors were 16 champions from past individual merits from Senior, Ladies, Juniors and Vets sections of the sport, spanning the years from 1994 to 2026.
WCGBA Management members were also hard at work especially the Tournament Officer, Ashley Zepeda and Assistant Tournament Officer, Simon Walker who kept a steady flow of games on two greens throughout the day. There were a few challenges for the organisers due to changes in the player line up but well over 50 players took part.
All ages were represented and in Round one there were good wins for John Bonatti 21-7, Leighton Roberts 21-11, Jason Jones 21-12, Gwerydd Buckland 21-8, John Jones 21-10 and a closer win for Jess Lacey 21-18.
All those taking part know each other well and there were no surprises as we progressed to the last 16. Leighton continued his journey to the next stage with a 21-18 win over Ieuan Pugh, Jess won 21-18 over Gwerydd Buckland. Also through to the quarter finals were Jack Hewitt. Jay Salisbury. Paul Richards, Nicky Jones, Ian Jones and Chris Charlton.
In their Quarter final match, Jess and Leighton, Jess took the lead and was the first to double figures. These two are from the same club and have come up through the ranks of the Junior squad. Leighton crept back with his long reach and was soon ahead. He won 21-17. Jack Hewitt and Jay Salisbury had a similar game and the outcome was still uncertain until Jack forged ahead to win 21-16. Nicky Jones won his game with Paul Richards 21-14 and Chris Charlton won 21-15 over Ian Jones.
In the Semi Final games, Jack Hewitt led Leighton Roberts all the way, giving him no space to catch up. Jack won 21-14 and was through to the final. Chris Charton made a brilliant start to his match with Nicky Jones. He was soon 11-2 up. Cool and calm his risky strategy of deep corner bowling paid off and Chris won 21-10. The score does not do justice to the skill and stamina exhibited by both players at times.
Our Final was set. Chris Charlton won the toss to lead off. It was Jack, however who won the first end. From then on, Jack was not about to let up on his command of the match. He was soon 12-6 up. When Chris did manage to take possession of the jack, his earlier corner bowling was met with equal skill. Jack went ahead 17-11. A steady hand eventually led Jack to the winner’s podium 21-14.
A stunning glass trophy was presented to Jack by President Peter Higham, who thanked the sponsors of the event, Howardson Group Ltd. A light buffet was served to guests which included some eye catching – and very tasty – cupcakes supplied by Winnie’s Café, Coedpoeth.
Above: Winner Welsh Centenary Trophy – Jack Hewitt, with BCGBA President, Steve Davies & WCGBA President, Peter Higham