George Masters 2018 Preview

A strong field has been assembled including four former winners, thanks goes again to our sponsors Media Access Solutions (Tim Bastock) for their support.

Player profiles with odds are below:

1. Scott Simpson – 10/1
Scott is rightly now recognised as one of the top players in Midlands bowls and will look to be adding the George Masters to his already impressive CV. Not necessarily one of his favourite greens but his rain dance over the week looks to have been successful which is likely to help the cause.

2. Chris Bergin – 22/1
Chris snook into the competition on Champion of Champions Saturday and qualified at a canter. Will be looking to prove some of the onlooking W&W selectors wrong for leaving him out in the Crosfield Cup final and build on his good run earlier on in the year at Moseley.

3. Ross Dunkley – 4/1 (Fav)
Winner of the competition in 2012, Ross consistently plays the green as well as any away player in W&W. Will probably be the hardest to wash away if the rain comes down as heavily as anticipated which could work in his favour.

4. Callum Wraight – 11/2
Callum returned to the George for the first time in some years and comfortably dispatched of last years runner up Paul Lamb on his way through. Likely to have been on the phone this week to his good pal Greg Smith for some tips on how to play the green.

5. Glynn Storer – 16/1
Glynn was a runner up in 2005 and will be looking to go one better this year. One certainty of the day is hearing his shout of “Get on!”, “Runaway!” or “Wee lad” as his bowl ends up on the jack. Could easily annoy his opponents into submission!

6. Darren Plenderleith – 5/1
Serial semi finalist at the George, Darren will be hoping he can end the season with another title. £1,000 would go nicely towards next years wedding.

7. Derek Wright – 33/1
First time qualification for ‘Chap!’. One of the old pros of Midlands bowls who knows how to win. Good chance he’ll have the tic tacs in his pocket looking to rattle the Brack.

8. Anthony Bracken – 12/1
Value bet of the day at 12/1 for somebody that knows the green so well. Been away from the winners enclosure for too long for a player of his calibre, the weather could cause havoc with his syrup though!

9. Stewart Meddings – 16/1
Stewart’s first year allowed back in the George Masters following on from his time as a homester. Knows enough about the green to have a good run and so come Saturday he’ll be looking to post a photograph of the trophy rather than a qualifying sheet!

10. Paul Gamsby – 16/1
W&W legend and three time winner of this event. Paul will be keen to show that he can still mix it with the best and will still feel he can win on Saturday, would make for a great story if he made it four wins.

11. Carl Fielding – 7/1
This years W&W merit winner, and semi finalist in the Champion of Champions last week. Probably underachieved in this competition considering his impressive CV, would top off a great year if he could get over the line.

12. Martin Lloyd – 14/1
The famous Martin Lloyd and he comes from Bunbury! Doesn’t know a lot about the green but has performed well here at County level. Knows how to win competitions and so could prove to be a bit of a dark horse.

13. Paul Evans – 6/1
Winner in 2013 and one of the best players on the green outside of W&W. Saturday’s conditions probably won’t play into his favour but more than capable of winning as his odds suggest.

14. Matt Horton – 33/1
One of the lesser known quantities in the field but known to cause a few shocks previously when winning the NM Merit in 2016. Will be hoping to cause a few more surprises on Saturday.

15. Ollie Newman – 14/1
Local favourite and ex homester will have plenty of support green side on Saturday. The live video in the George toilets will be something else if he manages to lift the trophy.

16. Michael Lynch – 20/1
Considering his lack of green knowledge Michael plays the green quite well. Will be looking for his first major competition win.

Odds are courtesy of James Cosgrave and Simon Clinton if you want a wager.