THOMAS Vickers admits it may take time to sink in he has won the biggest prize in crown green bowls.

The Wharton Cons member held his nerve to win a tense final at the British Individual Senior Merit – known by bowlers as the All England Championships – in Stoke on Saturday.

He is the fifth man from Winsford to do so.

“It’s my best moment in the game by far,” he said.

“Every bowler wants to get his hands on the trophy at the end of that tournament, though I’m still not sure it’s quite hit me that I have.

“The response I’ve had with calls, texts and messages on social media has been overwhelming if I’m honest.

“It’s took me back a bit.

“A former winner, who I won’t name, sent me a note via Facebook. He said people still talked to him about winning the All England years later.

“I’m buzzing to see my name alongside next to the others who’ve won it in the past – that’s a good feeling.”

Vickers came from behind to beat Gareth Herbert, representing Warwick & Worcester, in the final at Florence Tennis and Bowling Club.

After seeing off two-time former winner Graeme Wilson in the last eight, his opponent had been rated by the bookmaker as favourite to win.

“I think I was second pick to win all of my matches wasn’t I?” added Vickers.

“Things like that just make me more determined to prove people wrong.”

And so he did.

Following a first-round struggle against David Gill, which he edged 21-17, Vickers grew in confidence during wins against Tonie Moxham and Steve Freer.

A 21-14 defeat of the latter sent him through to the last eight for the first time.

“I felt better after every round,” added the 26-year-old.

“Mind you, I don’t think I could have played any worse at the start!

“I’d arrived at the green early, and ended up sitting around for three hours waiting to play. It probably wasn’t the best preparation.

“Once I got past the last 16, which was my target, I felt I had as good a chance as anybody else.”

Emphatic defeats of Andy Cairns and Andrew Moss sent set up a head-to-head with Herbert, backed by a boisterous travelling support.

Vickers, unfazed, was deaf to their noise.

He said: “You can’t block it all out – of course you hear some things that are said – but the most important thing is not to react.

“I felt calm, composed.

“I knew I was playing well, and I’d found marks on the green that worked for me.

“I don’t remember much about the last end, except I stood about 15 yards away willing his wood to miss. Luckily for me, it did.”