The 2026 Monday Night Merit Finals take place tomorrow with 16 finalists looking to win this for the first time.
Only Steve Watkins has reached this final before, and takes on David Dye first game of Donnington Wood, who currently sits in the top 10 of the Division Five Averages. His team mate and former junior Hayden Jones plays the experienced Chris Taylor, who is in the top 10 of the Division Four Averages. Four pairs of team mates take each other, with Jamie Pritchard, former Under 15 Merit finalist, playing Vinny Kirkland, while Shifnal pair Bridget Ford and Elaine Hall meet, Bowring duo Keith Rowley and Graham Strong clash and 17 year old Harvey Rudkin plays Elsie Pugh. 10 year old Finley Pessall, the youngest ever qualifier for this, has Steffan Whitehouse of Bowring. Ben Delves, our League Handicap winner from last year, meets Lynn Rowley in the other tie of the 1st round.
The action starts at 5.30 p.m. at Edgmond.
The prize money is as follows:
Winner – £60
Runner-up – £40
Semi Finalist – £20
Quarter Finalist – £15
Last 16 – £5
Edgmond are putting on their usual hot and cold food.
There will be a raffle so please bring some change.
Dress code is not being enforced due to the high temperatures.
The scores will be here.
| 1 | Vinny Kirkland | Jamie Pritchard |
| 2 | Bridget Ford | Elaine Hall |
| 3 | Keith Rowley | Graham Strong |
| 4 | Stefan Whitehouse | Finley Pessall |
| 5 | Steve Watkins | David Dye |
| 6 | Elsie Pugh | Harvey Rudkin |
| 7 | Lynn Rowley | Ben Delves |
| 8 | Hayden Jones | Chris Taylor |