World Indoor Bowls Championships preview

WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS YOUR EIGHT-PAGE GUIDE TO THE 2024 TOURNAMENT SPONSORED BY IMAGINE CRUSING

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 THE WORLD’S BEST HEAD TO POTTERS ONCE AGAIN...

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OTTERS open their doors again to the world’s best indoor bowlers and the action starts on January 5, with the Open Pairs.

The stunning Norfolk holiday venue has been the venue for the World Indoor Championships since 1999, the year the legendary Alex Marshall won the first of his six Open Singles crowns, and the Scot is back – via way of a sponsors’ wild card – to try and win a record seventh title.

Defending champion Jamie Walker – a surprise winner last year – returns to the scene of his fabulous triumph as one of the top-16 elite bowlers this time around and he is destined to meet last year’s other surprise finalist Jason

Banks at the second-round stage should they both get past the first hurdle.

Australian star Aron Sherriff is part of the field this year, along with the likes of international aces Daniel Salmon, Harry Goodwin and Iain McLean, so it promises to be another

mouthwatering event. And it’s not just the Open Singles, with the brilliant Katherine Rednall seeking a record sixth Women’s World Matchplay success, while there will be thrills and spills aplenty in both the Pairs events.

It’s going to be another epic.

2016, when he, Andrew Knapper and Robert Paxton bagged the Men’s Triples crown in New Zealand.

His star quality was already in evidence, although for many watching the action from Potters, his name would have been an unfamiliar one, such is the lack of a spotlight given to star bowlers in the UK, well those not accustomed to playing at Potters every year.

Walker then beat Mark Royal on a tie-break, before repeating the trick against Wayne Willgress, following two drawn sets – something not often witnessed on the portable rink.

And then, incredibly, two more drawn sets saw him need to do the business on another best-of-three ends lottery against Robert Paxton, before lining up a winner-takes-all clash with Banks.

The pair drew the

RECORD IN THE WORLD INDOOR OPEN SINGLES

WALKER’S BACK TO DEFEND TITLE J

AMIE WALKER slipped out of the Open Singles in 2022 at the firstround stage, losing to Jamie Chestney after a tough battle.

Despite the promising signs shown by Walker during that defeat, not many would have predicted the Torquay bowler to return 12 months later and bag his first World Indoors crown, beating another surprise finalist Jason Banks in the final.

Walker had only qualified for the event by the skin of his teeth, coming through the final PBA event after losing in a couple of previous tournaments.

But he showed in his firstround win over Potters favourite Greg Harlow, that here was a player not to be underestimated and nor should a bowler who was an experienced competitor both indoors and out, who’d been a world outdoors champion back in

2022................................... 1st rnd 2023...................................Winner second set – meaning Walker had drawn five in total – which meant the former Northamptonshire star took home the prized Langham Glass Trophy after he edged the first 8-7, in one of the best finals ever seen in the International Arena.

Now he is back to defend his title and cement his place as one of the best players on the World Bowls Tour – his stock continued to rise at the Scottish International Open, where he reached the final, beating Banks in the semi-final.

Only four players have ever won back-to-back crowns, so Walker will be joining David Bryant, Tony Allcock, Andy Thomson and Alex Marshall if he does indeed achieve the feat. But with Nicole Rogers represented the gaze of England at the prestigious publicity on Hong Kong International him this Bowls Classic last November time around, and won a silver medal will he handle in the Women’s Pairs. the pressure?

DID YOU KNOW?

WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

OPENSINGLES

(1) Jamie WALKER (16) Jason BANKS (9) Wayne WILGRESS (8) David GOURLAY (5) Robert PAXTON (12) Darren BURNETT (13) Jamie CHESTNEY (4) Stewart ANDERSON (3) Les GILLETT (14) Mervyn KING (11) Greg HARLOW (6) Mark DAWES (7) Nick BRETT (10) Jason GREENSLADE (15) Michael STEPNEY (2) Paul FOSTER

v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

3 Iain McLEAN Blake NAIRN Harry GOODWIN Daniel SALMON Philip LAST Darren WEIR Jon WILSON Wayne ROBERTS David BOLT/Giulia GALLO S ELIAHOO/ D JACOBS Alex MARSHALL Martin KREFT Alastair COLEMAN Billy MELLORS Desmond LAI Aron SHERIFF

PACKED FULL OF QUALITY T

HIS could be one of the strongest-ever fields assembled for the Open Singles, with quality abounding everywhere.

Much has been said about the hugely anticipated appearance of Aron Sherrif, but throw in the likes of fellow world champion (Champion of Champions) Daniel Salmon, World and Commonwealth bronze medallist Iain McLean, former World Under-25 champion Harry Goodwin, Scottish starlet Darren Weir along with the top-16 stars – and Alex Marshall – then it’s no wonder this is being viewed as one of the best yet.

Last year’s winner and runner-up, Jamie Walker and

Jason Banks, are back as fully signed-up members of the top 16 – with both cementing their places by reaching the latter stages of the Scottish International Open, which was won by Stewart Anderson.

Anderson is the last Scottish winner of the main event, back in 2019, so the men from north of the border will be looking to topple the Sassenachs, with 10 quality players representing the Saltire.

Paul Foster, as has often been the case, is the bookies’ favourite to claim his sixth title, but he hasn’t climbed to the summit since beating Greg Harlow in the 2017 final.

Considering all the Scottish talent out there, it’s rather

surprising that only Foster and Anderson have claimed the title for the Scots since Marshall’s last success back in 2015, so could this be their year?

Previous winners Nick Brett and Harlow are still both searching for their second titles, as are Robert Paxton, Darren Burnett, Les Gillett and David Gourlay, while Jason Greenslade – now representing Guernsey – is hoping to break a 20-year plus drought with his first-ever crown.

And for the likes of Jamie Chestney and Michael Stepney, they’ll just be searching for a couple of wins to avoid losing their top-16 places, which are very much under threat, especially the former’s.

FORMER WINNERS

2023............ J Walker 2022............. L Gillett 2021............M Dawes 2020.......... R Paxton 2019....... S Anderson 2018............M Dawes 2017.............P Foster 2016.............. N Brett 2015.........A Marshall 2014.......... D Burnett 2013....... S Anderson 2012........A Thomson 2011.............P Foster 2010........... G Harlow 2009......... B Jackson 2008........A Marshall 2007........A Marshall 2006..............M King 2005............P Foster 2004........A Marshall 2003........A Marshall 2002...........T Allcock 2001.............P Foster 2000............R Weale 1999........A Marshall 1998.............P Foster 1997................H Duff 1996......... D Gourlay 1995........A Thomson 1994.......A Thomson 1993.............R Corsie 1992.........I Schuback 1991.............R Corsie 1990.............. J Price 1989.............R Corsie 1988................H Duff 1987............T Allcock 1986............T Allcock 1985.......... T Sullivan 1984............. J Baker 1983.....B Sutherland 1982............J Watson 1981............D Bryant 1980...........D Bryant 1979............D Bryant

WINNING NATIONS

22................Scotland 17.................England 3...................... Wales 1................. Australia

RUNNERS-UP 16.................England 13................Scotland 7...................... Wales 3................. Australia 2................. N Ireland 1....................Canada 1.............. Hong Kong

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 PLAYERS WITH SIX OR MORE WORLD INDOOR TITLES

14........ Alex Marshall 6 Open Singles 6 Open Pairs 2 Mixed Pairs 13............Paul Foster 5 Open Singles 5 Open Pairs 3 Mixed Pairs 11.......... Tony Allcock 3 Open Singles 8 Open Pairs 9..........David Bryant 3 Open Singles 6 Open Pairs 7......... David Gourlay 1 Open Singles 3 Open Pairs 3 Mixed Pairs 6....... Andy Thomson 6...............Nick Brett 6.. Katherine Rednall 6............Carol Ashby 6.. Stewart Anderson

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HERE have been some world-class overseas players in the Open Singles over the years, but none of them recently with the pedigree of Aron Sherriff.

The 38-year-old, from New South Wales, is one of the sport’s most decorated bowlers and he heads to Potters as the current World Bowls Indoor Men’s Singles champion, following his success in Warilla in May. Sherriff, a greenkeeper by trade, has also won four gold medals at World Bowls – including two last year, in the Men’s Triples and Men’s

AUSTRALIAN ACE SHERRIFF ROLLS INTO TOWN...

Fours – as well as two silvers and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games, plus many more.

And his first-round clash with Paul Foster promises to be one of the most eagerly-awaited matches for

many a year. Fellow Aussie Blake Nairn is back for a second stint.

New Zealander Martin Kreft, below left, will be making his debut at the tournament after winning the PBA qualifying event in Dunedin.

Wayne Roberts, above left, will be representing South Africa. He won the gold medal in the Men’s Singles at the African States tournament last year.

Hong Kong’s Desmond Lai will also be in action, as he takes on Michael Stepney.

ONES TO WATCH...

BY: BEN THOMAS

n Wayne WILLGRESS

n Stewart ANDERSON

The local star has a terrific record at Potters – in five appearances he has reached two quarter-finals and two semi-finals, so is a player no-one will fancy playing. He gets a boost by having a large fan club attend his matches, but if he wants to reach his first final then he’s going to have come through a quarter that includes last year’s winner and runner-up. Tough, but how knows?

The 38-year-old Scot occupies a place in the top 10 of players with ‘five or more titles’ at Potters (two of each), but rather surprisingly has only won the Open Singles once since his inaugural success in 2013. Comes into this off the back of winning the Scottish International Open, where he was superb, and looks nailed in to at least reach yet another quarter-final.

n Mark DAWES

n Aron SHERRIFF

The Lancastrian has come a long way since the shock of losing to septuagenarian Charlie Bence in 2017, winning two Open Singles crowns as well as two Open Pairs titles since then. He has also reached two quarters and a semi-final, too, so he will be one of the most feared competitors in the main event. Now playing more regularly after moving clubs, to Cumbria, so even more reason to think he’ll go there firing.

You can normally discount overseas players from making any sort of impact, but not this bowler. Sherriff, one of the world’s finest players, is a tremendous addition to the field, although he will have to master the fiendishly tough and unique portable blue carpet, with Paul Foster first up. But a man of his undoubted quality can never be written off and the 50-1 looks too big to miss.

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

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WOMEN’SWORLD MATCHPLAY Katherine REDNALL Alisa ROBERTSON Giulia GALLO Lauren GOWEN

v v v v

Annalisa DUNHAM Nicole ROGERS Ceri Ann GLEN Julie FORREST

SIX FOR REDNALL? K

ATHERINE REDNALL will be seeking an incredible sixth crown to cement her status as ‘Queen of Potters’.

The Ipswich-born star, who turns 28 this month, has dominated the Women’s World Matchplay event since winning it for the first time in 2014, and she will start as the red-hot

favourite once more, in what looks one of the strongest fields for some time.

Two-time winner Julie Forrest will be one of those looking to topple Rednall, while England’s up-and-coming starlet Nicole Rogers was heavily beaten by the champion last year and will want to get her revenge this time around. Last year’s

DID YOU KNOW?

American Giulia Gallo is a PHD data scientist, and is a senior cloud solution architect at Microsoft, hailing from Long Beach, in California.

She is also fluent in Italian.

runner-up Ceri Ann Glen is back for more after reaching the final after many years away, while fellow countrywoman Lauren Gowen will be keen to show what she can do.

Alisa Robertson plays for the same club as Michael Stepney, while Giulia Gallo heads in from California – she is also ion the Open Singles, too.

OPENPAIRS Preliminary rnd (1) P HARVEY & K DOUGLAS v (2) M McPEAK & S BENNETT v (3) A YUEN & T LUI v (4) P WALLACE & K JOHNSTONE v (5) T WARNER & P MARTIN v (6) R DUNCAN & C WALKER v

OPENPAIRS 1st rnd

N BRETT & G HARLOW v M DAWES & J CHESTNEY v M KING & D GOURLAY v S ANDERSON & D BURNETT v L GILLETT & W WILLGRESS v R PAXTON & J WALKER v J GREENSLADE & M STEPNEY v J BANKS & P FOSTER v

S NICHOLLS & R OWEN R LYONS & J MASTERSON I CATCHPOLE & A JOHNSON J MAY & R MARCUSON M KREFT & R CORRY D HADAR & Z HADAR P NICHOLLS & T STONE Winners of 1 Winners of 2 Winners of 3 Winners of 4 Winners of 5 Winners of 6 C CARRUTHERS & J WRIGHT

FORMER WINNERS

2023...........K Rednall 2022...........K Rednall 2021........... L Daniels 2020...........J Forrest 2019............J Forrest 2018...........K Rednall 2017...........K Rednall 2016...........E Falkner 2015.......... L Thomas 2014...........K Rednall 2013...............R Field 2012.......... K Murphy 2011..........A Merrien 2010.......... D Stavrou 2009......... D Stavrou 2008........ C A Davies 2007............C Brown 2006..........E Falkner 2005..........E Falkner 2004............ C Ashby 2003............ C Ashby 2002............ C Ashby 2001............ B Brown 2000........... M Castle 1999......C McAllister 1998.......C McAllister 1997..............N Shaw 1996............ S Hazell 1995..........J Lindores 1994.........J Woodley 1993............K Adams 1992.......... S Gourlay 1991..............M Price

FORMER WINNERS

2023........G Harlow & N Brett 2022.... S Anderson & D Burnett 2021........ M Dawes & J Chestney 2020.......G Harlow & N Brett 2019......... P Foster & A Marshall 2018........ M Dawes & J Chestney 2017..........L Gillett & J Greenslade 2016.... S Anderson & D Burnett 2015........ R Paxton & S Skelton 2014........G Harlow & N Brett 2013......... P Foster & A Marshall 2012......... P Foster & A Marshall

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

OPEN SINGLES BETTING

6-1............Paul Foster 8-1...... Robert Paxton 9-1................. Stewart Anderson 10-1........ Mark Dawes 12-1........Greg Harlow 14-1...... Jamie Walker 14-1......Alex Marshall 14-1............Les Gillett 16-1............Nick Brett 18-1....... Mervyn King 18-1. Wayne Willgress 20-1........Jason Banks 20-1........Billy Mellors 20-1.....David Gourlay 20-1.Jason Greenslade 25-1...Jamie Chestney 25-1.Michael Stepney 28-1... Darren Burnett 40-1.......... David Bolt 50-1.......Aron Sherriff 50-1... Harry Goodwin 66-1....... Darren Weir 66-1......... Jon Wilson 66-1....... Iain McLean 80-1......Dylan Jacobs 125-1.............. Alastair Coleman 150-1......Martin Kreft 150-1.......Blake Nairn 150-1.........Philip Last 150-1.....Desmond Lai 200-1.Wayne Roberts 250-1.Sasson Eliahoo 250-1....... Giulia Gallo Odds courtesy of Skybet / William Hill

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AMIE WALKER is 14-1 to successfully defend his Open Singles crown this year, although after his heroics 12 months ago, that still looks a tad on the big side, writes Ben Thomas.

And considering he then reached the final of the Scottish International Open, it is quite surprising that he isn’t the favourite to win, rather than Paul Foster, who is 6-1 to claim a record-equalling sixth title.

Every year the Potters epic comes around, Foster seems to be the man the bookies expect to win, which opens up more value elsewhere.

And Walker at 14s is worth a punt, although Mark Dawes could be the man to climb back to the summit.

Always a danger on the portable rink, there’s a feeling that the Lancashire lad will head to the Norfolk coast better primed for action given he is playing more regular bowls after moving from Spalding to Cumbria.

There was a thought last year, that Dawes wasn’t playing enough bowls in order to sustain

A DAWES OPENING? a serious challenge and so it proved, although he did pretty well to reach the semifinal, but he looked to have run out of gas when it mattered most.

he has proved he can master most surfaces.

OUTRIGHT He may fall 4pts Mark Dawes....................10-1 by the 2pts Jamie Walker................... 14-1 wayside as he 1pt ew Aron Sherriff................50-1 is playing one of the all-time FIRST ROUND MATCHES 5pts Weir to beat Burnett....... 11-8 greats after but for 3pts Salmon to beat Gourlay... 6-5 all, such big odds 2pts Sherriff to beat Foster.....9-4 and a player of his calibre, he’s worth a He’s 10-1 quid of anyone’s money– to bag his although he could meet Dawes third in the semi if they both make it Singles title that far. and he’ll be Of the first-round matches, avoiding the Darren Weir looks a cracking bet in-form trio at 11-8 to beat fellow countyman of Walker, Darren Burnett, whose star is on Jason Banks the wane, while the 6-5 on and Stewart Daniel Salmon to see off canny Anderson customer David Gourlay could until the well prove profitable. final, so Katherine Rednall is a banker that’s an at 10-11 to win the Women’s added bonus. World Matchplay... although Another price that leaps out is some punters thought they were the 50-1 on Aussie ace Aron on to a huge winner when Sherriff, although he’s got Foster William Hill incorrectly had her (where he’s 9-4) first up on a priced at 10-1, before they surface that is alien to him... but realised their mistake.

BEST BETS

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

MIXEDPAIRS

C A GLEN & S ANDERSON L GOWEN & P FOSTER N ROGERS & W WILLGRESS J FORREST & N BRETT

v v v v

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A DUNHAM & D GOURLAY G GALLO & M DAWES K REDNALL & L GILLETT A ROBERTSON & R PAXTON

MIXED DRAMA S

TEWART ANDERSON claimed his second Mixed Pairs crown in three years in 2023 when he and Ceri Ann Glen clinched victory over Alison Merrien and Paul Foster.

For Anderson, this could have been perceived as another day at the office, but for Glen, it marked a wondrous return after several years away from Potters.

She won the Women’s Singles back in 2008, as Ceri Ann

Davies (representing Australia) she also reached the Women’s as well as the World Matchplay Mixed Pairs final and will yet (and again in again be one to 2009), but then watch. didn’t feature The young Scottish qualifier Iain McLean again in the English pairing of is an account executive for a tournament after motor auction company, who Nicole Rogers finishing and Wayne once represented his country at water polo – runners-up in Willgress is an one of his proudest the same intriguing one, moments. discipline in while Julie 2010.

Forrest and Nick Not only did Brett could be a she get her hands on a trophy, dream combination this year.

DID YOU KNOW?

WORLDUNDER-25s Daniel POOL Darren WEIR

v v

Rebecca MOORBEY Jack EAST

BIG NAMES IN! M

ORE high-class bowlers progressed through the PBA qualifiers, with the standard seemingly improving every year.

Daniel Salmon (winner in Newport) and Iain McLean (Glasgow victor) are two major stars of the sport, who will add two huge dollops of gloss to the Open Singles.

Salmon, who has yet to really make his mark at Potters in the event, is the reigning World Champion of Champions Men’s Singles winner, while McLean has won medals at the Commonwealth

Games and World Bowls. Both must be hugely respected and will present major obstacles to David Gourlay and Jamie Walker respectively.

David Bolt and Jon Wilson both repeated their heroics from last year to qualify again, although the former has a preliminary round match against USA lady Giulia Gallo – win that and he faces Les Gillett, who thrashed him at the Scottish International Open.

Wilson has again been drawn to play Jamie Chestney and it

will be interesting to see if Wilson can once more dump the elite player out.

Scottish starlet Darren Weir came through a tough Carlisle event – and also will be in the World Under-25s again, where he will be hoping to avoid a hat-trick of final defeats – while Phillip Last won the qualifier in Northampton, without dropping a single shot in a remarkable final.

Billy Mellors may have recently announced his international retirement, but he will be looking to make an impression and adds more Scottish strength to a high-quality tournament, while Irishman Alastair Coleman won the Belfast competition.

FORMER WINNERS

2023......... C A Glen & S Anderson 2022.......A Merrien & P Foster 2021.........J Forrest & S Anderson 2020.......M Purcell & N Brett 2019........E Falkner & R Paxton 2018.............L Doig & J Chestney 2017..... C Johnston & N Brett 2016....... K Rednall & D Burnett 2015........M Purcell & R Paxton 2014....... L Thomas & P Foster 2013....... L Thomas & P Foster 2012.......D Stavrou & D Gourlay 2011.......A Merrien & S Skelton

FORMER WINNERS

2022............... D Pool 2021............... D Pool 2020....... W Moulton 2019.................. J Orr 2018........... C Watson

LADIES BETTING 4-1............ Julie Forrest 6-1.......... Nicole Rogers 8-1.......... Ceri Ann Glen 10-1.Katherine Rednall 16-1.....Alisa Robertson 16-1..Annalisa Dunham 18-1............Giulia Gallo 20-1....... Lauren Gowen

OPEN PAIRS BETTING 5-1...........Foster/Banks 11-2..........Brett/Harlow 6-1...Anderson/Burnett 13-2...... Paxton/Walker 13-2... Dawes/Chestney 8-1........... Gourlay/King 8-1...... Gillett/Willgress 9-1.. Greenslade/Stepney 14-1... McPeak/Bennett 40-1.... Duncan/Walker

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WORLD INDOOR BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

PLAYER PROFILES... n Mark DAWES

n Nick BRETT

n Stewart ANDERSON

n Robert PAXTON

Previous best performance Winner........................................ 2018, 2021 Club...............................................Cumbria Overview Success at Potters eluded the Lancastrian last year, but that was a rare miss from one of the most dangerous players around.

Previous best performance Winner..................................................2016 Club......................................... Huntingdon Overview Claimed a third Open Pairs title with Greg Harlow last year, but it’s now been eight years since his sole Singles success.

Previous best performance Winner........................................ 2013, 2019 Club...........................................Auchinleck Overview Now has six titles at Potters following his Mixed Pairs victory with Ceri Ann Glen last year. The current Scottish Open winner.

Previous best performance Winner................................................. 2020 Club...............................................Crediton Overview Bounced back after two first-round defeats to reach the semi-final last year, losing to winner Walker on a tie-break.

n Paul FOSTER

n Les GILLETT

n Greg HARLOW

n David GOURLAY

Previous best performance Winner...........1998, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2017 Club.............................................Prestwick Overview Still searching for a sixth Singles crown that would match Alex Marshall, but has reached just one final since his 2017 win.

Previous best performance Winner..................................................2022 Club.................................Melton & District Overview Finally claimed the big one in 2022, but crashed out in the second round last year.

Not one to write off so easily, though.

Previous best performance Winner..................................................2010 Club............................................ City of Ely Overview Time is now running out for the Potters ambassador to add a second Singles title to his CV. Looks an unlikely winner now.

Previous best performance Winner................................................. 1996 Club.............................................Prestwick Overview Still plodding away in the top 16, but has only reached one semi-final in the last six years. Not won a Potters title since 2012.

n Mervyn KING

n Jason GREENSLADE

n Wayne WILLGRESS

n Jamie WALKER

Previous best performance Winner.................................................2006 Club................................................. Gallow Overview Grimly hanging on to his top-16 spot and has only made it to two quarter-finals in the last nine years. Best years behind him.

Previous best performance Semi-final...................................2007, 2020 Club............................................. Guernsey Overview Now representing Guernsey after moving to the Channel Islands. Yet to win the Open Singles and he’s getting older.

Previous best performance Semi-final...................................2018, 2022 Club...............................................Norwich Overview Loves it at Potters, reaching two semifinals and two quarter-finals. Huge support could carry him a long way again.

Previous best performance Winner..................................................2023 Club............................................... Torquay Overview Surprise winner last year and then showed it was no fluke by reaching the final of the Scottish. Could go close again.

n Michael STEPNEY

n Jamie CHESTNEY

n Darren BURNETT

n Jason BANKS

Previous best performance Quarter-final........................................2022 Club.................................................... Elgin Overview Has only made it past the second round once, in 2022, and another player whose ‘elite’ status looks under threat.

Previous best performance Quarter-final........... 2007, 2016, 2017, 2022 Club..................................................Exonia Overview Was looked upon as a potential winner not long ago, but has yet to reach a semi-final and could drop out of the top 16 soon.

Previous best performance Winner..................................................2014 Club..............................................Arbroath Overview Has been struggling to make it past the early rounds of late and nearly lost his place in the top-16 last season.

Previous best performance Runner-up............................................2023 Club................................................Garioch Overview Unlucky loser in the final last year, while he also lost to Walker in the semis of the Scottish. Has a big future ahead of him.

n David BOLT

n Alex MARSHALL

n Iain McLEAN

n Blake NAIRN

Previous best performance Quarter-final....................................... 2005 Club...................................... South Shields Overview Now best known as a co-host of the Wrong Bias podcast, but qualified again from the PBA event in Hartlepool.

Previous best performance Winner.........1999, 2003-04, 2007-08, 2015 Club........................................ East Lothian Overview A true legend of the sport, but is only in the event due to being a sponsor’s choice as he has dropped out of the top 16.

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club.................... Sandy Conservative Club Overview The burly Scot will be making his debut in the event, but is one of the world’s best singles players on grass.

Previous best performance First round.......................................... 2020 Club...................................Cambridge, Aus Overview The Aussie was a popular figure with the Potters crowd when losing to Greg Harlow on his previous appearance.

n Harry GOODWIN

n Daniel SALMON

n Philip LAST

n Jon WILSON

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club...................................................Swale Overview World Bowls Under-25 Singles and Mixed Pairs champion in 2022 and the second sponsors’ choice to be given a spot.

Previous best performance Second round.......................................2021 Club................................................. Cardiff Overview A Commonwealth Games two-time gold medalist and won the World Singles Champion of Champions last year.

Previous best performance First round....................... 2008, 2011, 2012 Club................................................ Ipswich Overview Incredible display to win the PBA qualifier at Northampton, not dropping a shot in the final. Returns after a long absence.

Previous best performance Second round.......................................2023 Club...........................................Wey Valley Overview Repeated his PBA qualifying win from last year to again book a place at Potters. And again will face Jamie Chestney.

n Alastair COLEMAN

n Wayne ROBERTS

n Aron SHERRIFF

n Martin KREFT

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club........................................... Ballymena Overview Son of veteran Ireland international Stephen, he won the Belfast PBA event, beating Jonathan Ross in the first round.

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club...........................................Stella Park Overview A former national champion in South Africa, Roberts is also an Africa States champion in Singles.

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club...........................................Helensvale Overview One of the world’s finest bowlers and a man who has many accolades to his name.

Can he do it on the portable rink, though?

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club.................................................St Clair Overview Won the New Zealand PBA event in Dunedin and will also be partnering Richard Corry in the Open Pairs.

n Darren WEIR

n Desmond LAI

n Billy MELLORS

n Giulia GALLO

Previous best performance First round...........................................2021 Club............................................Ardrossan Overview Won the Cumbria PBA event and the runner-up for the past two years in the World Under-25s event at Potters,

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club.......................................................xxx Overview Something of an unknown quantity from the Far East, but emerging from their PBA qualifying event is no mean feat.

Previous best performance NA................................................................

Club........................................ East Lothian Overview Former Scottish international who won the final PBA qualifying competition at the West of Scotland club.

Previous best performance NA................................................................

n Dylan JACOBS n Sasson ELIAHOO

Previous best performances NA.........................................................xxxx