Bailey targets winning the coveted Welsh Merit for a fourth time

LLANRWST’S John Bailey will look to win the Senior Welsh Merit competition for a fourth time when he defends his title this Saturday at Benllech on Anglesey.

Bailey is among the 32 contenders vying for the national crown, the field including a number of former winners.

This year’s participants are: Carl Roberts, Peter Jones, Trevor Bate, Dave Rocky Jones, Kris Fearnley, Roger Wilson, Graham Hunt, Ivor Jones, Adam Penlington, Chris Slater, Martin Jones, Keirion Roberts, Dylan Williams, Nick Jones, Geoff Pugh, Darren Williams, Paul Hallett, Scott Todd, Mike Riley, Des Hey, Roger Morgan, Daniel Jones, John Bailey, Andrew Hughes, Jason Hughes, Leighton Roberts, Ian M Jones, Martin Hughes, Rhys Hopwood, Paul Walley, Bryan Hayes and Phill Maddox.

Rhos Park’s Ivor Jones has won the title twice previously, in 1983 and 1992 while a member of Min-y-Don.

Slater, another Rhos hopeful, was the champion in 2012, while Craig-y-Don’s Morgan was the tournament winner back in 2001.

Last year saw Bailey become only the third bowler in history to win the Welsh Merit when he defeated Carl Roberts of Esclusham 21-11 in the final at Johnstown.

Bailey, who also won the tournament in 2003 and 2007, now has Gwyn Morris’s four titles and the legendary Eric Ashton’s five Merit crowns in his sights.

Regarded as one of Wales’s all-time greats, Bailey was crowned Champion of Champions in 2007 and won the Spring Waterloo Tournament in 2005, but is yet to win the coveted All-England Senior Individual Merit event.