Weston Park Trophy 2025 reviewed

Club News

Competition organiser Liam Sykes reviews the 2025 version of this competition, which is one of the few that is all about raising funds for a charity service.

Weston Park Trophy 2025

Just over a week since the dust settled from this year's competition and it's as good a time as any for a detailed write-up on the finals day.

This year's finals day saw 3 former winners, Paul Dudley, Ryan Clark and Josh Brown all aiming to get their names on the trophy once more, the latter two facing off against each other in the last 16 in what was many people's pick for game of the round. The bookie agreed, offering 4/5 take your pick on both.

We also had 5 brand new faces to this year's finals day line up in the form of Liam Fallas, Craig Gant, Jack Bowes, Steve Lonnia and Neil Slattery. Plenty of county experience and comp circuit wins between all 5 to give each of them a genuine, deserved chance at taking home the title.

First round scores:

Carl Whitham 21-13 Darryl Harrap

Kez Smith 06-21 Jack Dyson

Ryan Clark 21-08 Josh Brown

James Wilcox 21-04 Graeme Wilson

Jack Bowes 10-21 Paul Dudley

Craig Gant 19-21 Liam Fallas

Steve Lonnia 21-19 Neil Slattery

Ben Halliday 15-21 Scott Fisher

We were once again somehow blessed with fine early April weather for this year's competition, which has become something of a theme with only one or two notable days of poor weather in the competition's entire 9 year history.

The quarter finals got underway around the warmest part of the afternoon, quite fitting to see some of the day's big hitters and early favourites with the bookie going head to head, the pick of which most would've had as Clark vs Wilcox. A real nip and tuck game of serious quality, Wilcox having too much for Clark in the end, taking out the reigning champion 21-15.

In the bottom half of the draw, could there have been an underdog story developing? Steve Lonnia, one of the rank outsiders at the start of play taking out Yorkshire County stalwart Scott Fisher emphatically 21-07, showing that he was worthy of being in the mix to challenge to be the next winner.

Quarter Final scores:

Carl Whitham 18-21 Jack Dyson

Ryan Clark 15-21 James Wilcox

Paul Dudley 21-18 Liam Fallas

Steve Lonnia 21-07 Scott Fisher

The semi finals proved to be one step too far for Lonnia in the end, with Dudley taking full advantage of superior green knowledge, dispatching of him with ease 21-06 and cementing his place in a third final, edging closer to a third Weston Park Trophy title in the last 4 years.

Despite this, all eyes seemed to be on Wilcox vs Dyson. Two juggernauts of the game in general, not just in Yorkshire. Dyson would've arguably been the favourite in this one given his history on the Brockholes green and his desire to add this trophy to his incredibly long list of honours in the game. Unfortunately, Dyson will be kept waiting a little bit longer to get his hands on this one, with Wilcox putting on show a stupendous standard of bowls to see him off to a score of 21-19 and a semi-final worthy of any historic TV Waterloo coverage.

Semi Finals:

Jack Dyson 19-21 James Wilcox

Paul Dudley 21-06 Steve Lonnia

Wilcox found himself in his first final in this competition against a seasoned winner and self-professed admirer of the green here at Brockholes. Dudley went off at slight favourite with the bookie but struggled to settle into the game from the off. A seemingly straightforward semi final may prove to be his downfall.

Wilcox started the game as he finished his last, barely leaving a bowl more than 18 inches from the jack no matter what part of the green it was sent to. Dudley was clearly in a real battle, but didn't let this affect him too greatly as he clawed back into the game on his favoured over the middle of the green patch. The game was nicely poised at 12-12, with Dudley laying 2 at either side of the jack, a tempting target for most. Wilcox took full advantage and played a great weighted bowl to take the jack through for 2, and to lead 14-12 with jack in hand. This was a clear turning point in the game with Wilcox now in full control, soon being 18-12 in front.

A small fight back from Dudley wasn't enough to deter Wilcox at this point, as he took the win 21-15 and claimed his first Weston Park Trophy title and the £800 first prize.

Final:

James Wilcox 21-15 Paul Dudley

I would like to express a huge thanks from myself, and the family to all players and spectators who have been a part of this year's competition.

With donations, raffle sales and food sales we have raised £705.70 for the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, and this takes our total fundraising efforts over the £10,000 mark, to £10,155.36.

This simply wouldn't be possible without players, spectators, club members of Brockholes and of course our dedicated sponsors, Radcliffe Funeral Service and D Haigh Tarmac.

Above all else, Brockholes Bowling Club for allowing us to run this competition year on year and ensuring the green is in immaculate condition time after time, to keep the players coming back. That's a wrap for 2025, we hope to see you all again next year.