GRAEME Wilson resisted a comeback by his opponent to win the Wharton Cons Open for a fifth time on Sunday.

The Yorkshire ace had to produce his best to see off Stoke ace Lee Brown, and claimed the £900 first prize in a competition sponsored by the Beer Trading Company.

He never trailed throughout, and at 19-16 sent a perfect bowl when two down to edge closer to the finish-line.

However Brown rallied to 20-across and had the block in hand for the decisive end.

Wilson held his nerve though.

He had done the same in a last 16 encounter with Kris Fearnley earlier in the afternoon when he was 19-20 down.

The St Asaph man couldn’t capitalise, and a poor lead cost him.

Wilson went on to end the runs of Birmingham duo Jon Palmer (21-13) and Greg Smith (21-17) to reach the final.

 

The finalists line up before the start of play at Wharton Cons on Sunday. Not pictured: Wayne Ditchfield, Greg Smith. Picture: Barry Gibson

Brown’s afternoon at the Winsford green, which was cleared by volunteers in time for the start after heavy overnight rain left the surface under water, started out with a 21-13 win against Dan Petcher.

He then saw off Matt Gilmore (21-17) and Cheshire Senior Merit winner Tommy Johnstone (21-18) to set up a clash with Wilson.

Meanwhile Morrey fared the best of three Castle members that made it to the latter stages following defeats for Jason Cornes and Andy Hamman.

He proved too strong for Wayne Ditchfield, runner-up at the British Individual Senior Merit last month, in his opener.

Morrey then rallied from 12-18 in a quarter-final encounter with Smith, moving to 20-across after perfectly-executed strike at 18-20.

However an imperfect lead on the final end gave his rival an opportunity that he took to prevail.

“Graeme played superbly and remains a top-class player,” said organiser Tom Vickers.

“It was great to see so much support on the night considering how grim the weather was and it was a testament to everybody that helped out that we turned a flooded green into a playable one.”

Results

Wharton Cons Open

Sunday, August 26

in association with The Beer Trading Company

Last 16

Graeme Wilson (Audenshaw) 21-20 Kris Fernley (Saint Asaph)

Andy Hamman (Northwich) 7-21 Jon Palmer (Birmingham)

Greg Smith (Birmingham) w/o Gary Ellis (Whitefield)

Wayne Ditchfield (Eccleston) 16-21 Steve Morrey (Crewe)

Wayne Phillips (Shrewsbury) 19-21 Matt Gilmore (Wirral)

Dan Petcher (Derby) 13-21 Lee Brown (Stoke on Trent)

Tommy Johnstone (Poynton) 21-11 Jason Cornes (Northwich)

Dave McDermott (Wirral) 17-21 Mike Tunstall (Liverpool)

Quarter-finals

Wilson 21-13 Palmer

Smith 21-20 Morrey

Gilmore 17-21 Brown

Johnstone 21-15 Tunstall

Semi-finals

Wilson 21-17 Smith

Brown 21-18 Johnstone

Final

Wilson 21-20 Brown