A Vickers victory would make history

1:42pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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THOMAS Vickers may have to beat his dad to retain the Roberts Bakery Cup.

The Wharton Cons young gun heads into Friday’s final as one of the favourites after a scintillating season so far, although the showpiece could become a family affair if father Alan progresses.

Teenager Thomas is one of three former winners fighting it out for the £250 first prize at Owley Wood, quarter final opponent Rob Winnington and veteran Gerald Merry are the others.

Vickers, who beat clubmate Mark Vernon in last year’s final, admits that victory was his finest hour.

“I never really thought I had a chance until I won in the semi final,” he said.

“I got through that by one chalk [against Castle Private’s John Gurney] and started to think that maybe it was my opportunity to win.”

He did in some style, running out a 21-12 victor against close pal Vernon.

That night dad Alan was shouting from the sidelines, so it will be a strange sensation to look across the green and see him bowling when he takes on Castle Private’s Richard Binnersley in Friday’s quarter final.

“All the Cons people there last time did not want to shout for either one of us so that made for a strange atmosphere,” added Vickers.

“Apart from my dad of course who couldn’t help himself.”

Vickers has shone this season, finishing runner up at the Cheshire Senior Merit to earn a crack at the All England Championships in Doncaster later this month.

He has also been among the star performers as Wharton Cons A sit top of Section One at the season’s halfway point.

It’s a tall order for him to win the Roberts Bakery Cup for a second successive season, a feat only achieved by the great Glynn Cookson in the competition’s 32-year history.

Guardian Cup holder Nicola Boulton (Frodsham Red Lion) is among the finalists, as is former Cowley Cup winner Simon Cookson (Wharton Cons).