Proud captain Keith Walton saluted Castlefields ace Callum Wraight’s stunning All England triumph and insisted there’s nothing stopping the young Shrewsbury star lifting the biggest trophy in bowls again.
Wraight, who lives in Mount Pleasant, got his hands on the coveted trophy and £1,000 first prize after holding his nerve to pip Cheshire’s Glyn Cookson 21-19 in a thrilling final at Crosby’s Northern Club just outside Liverpool.
It meant Wraight became the first Shropshire man to win the All England title for 22 years and the first Castlefields bowler to get his name on the glittering silverware since the great Tony Poole in 1971.
Walton was there that day in Birmingham 38 years ago when Poole prevailed and, while his own playing commitments prevented him from making it to Merseyside to cheer on Wraight, he said he was delighted for the 22-year-old.
“It was an awesome victory and Castlefields Bowls Club should be very proud of Callum’s efforts,” said Walton. “I wouldn’t say it came as a surprise as Callum always has a big chance in every competition he plays as he’s got the confidence to go out there and beat the best.
“Rich Goddard was there last weekend and said how Callum played in the quarter and semi finals was reminiscent to Tony Poole in his pomp. It was pretty special. Now he’s certainly got time on his side to go and win it again.”
Wraight was in blistering form as he saw off a star-studded field to land the All England prize, destroying Yorkshire’s Paul Sigsworth 21-5 in the last eight before blitzing Lancashire Merit winner Nicky Shaw 21-6 in the semis.
“I just did not expect it, even though I am so confident and believe in my ability,” said Wraight, who also becomes only the second bowler in history to win both the British junior and serior Merits.