WELSHMAN John Bailey triumphed on Sunday in the Mike Roach Memorial Classic at Woolston British Legion in front of a crowd of 180 spectators.

The mercurial left-hander from Llanwrst defeated 2009 winner Charlie Bebbington and 2012 winner Phil Davies to set up a semi-final with Preston’s Simon Coupe in which he won 21-14.

The final was against Whitefied’s 2011 winner Gary Ellis. The bowling was of the highest order and six-inch bowls were beaten regularly.

Both players were capable of hammer strikes, playing both short and long length marks.

On what was a wonderful surface at Woolston, Bailey won 21-16 in the final to claim the £700 prize.

The competition raised £2,250 for St Rocco’s Hospice.

Organiser Chris Ashton thanked all the unsung heroes who ensured the event runs smoothly.

Results:

Last 16: S Coupe 21, J Kennish 14, M Geraghty 10, A Manual 21, C Bebbington 16, J Bailey 21, J Taylor 15, P Davies 21, D Beardsmore 16, G Ellis 21, J Brown 18, G Cookson 21, D McDermott 21, R Goddard 17, D Twigg 11, C Armitage 21.

Last eight: S Coupe 21, A Manual 20, J Bailey 21, P Davies 14, G Ellis 21, G Cookson 12, D McDermott 21, C Armitage 17.

Semi Finals: S Coupe 14, J Bailey 21, G Ellis 21, D McDermott 15.

Final: J Bailey 21, G Ellis 16.

The Mike Roach Memorial features as leg seven on the Warrington Bowls Circuit, with John Brown, Phil Davies and John Taylor closing in on leader Dave Penketh. David Twigg climbed into the top 16.

Livewire ranking: 1, Dave Penketh 16pts; 2, John Brown 15; 3, Phil Davies 13; 4, John Taylor 11; 5, Stuart Goodwin 8; 6, Lee Johnstone 7; 7, Rob Lawrenson 7; 8, Dave Bennett 7; 9, Steve Gilfedder 7; 10, Damian Morrison 6; 11, Brendan Brady 6; 12, Kevin Wainwright 6; 13, David Twigg 6; 14, Larry Wells 5; 15, Mark Furber 5; 16, Steve Glover 5.