THE BIG Smash bowls tournament is returning bigger and better than ever this year.

Competition will be hot with players from eleven counties converging on the greens at Dalton CC and Askam in May. A field of 128 players will be split over the two greens and the final 16 will come together at Dalton CC for the final rounds to decide the champion.

The 2017 competition will boast its largest prize pot with a huge £9,000 in prize money and the champion claiming £1,600, and the final 32 receiving prize money.

The draw for the first round has been made and has thrown up some great matches.

Reigning champion Gareth Jones takes on Paul Holt. Competition favourites Greg Smith and Gary Ellis play Nigel Burns and Billy Thornton respectively, and there is a great local tussle between John Reilly and last year’s runner-up Danny Rogers.

The action starts at 8.45am on Sunday May 28 at Dalton Cricket Club and Askam Bowling Green.

There will be refreshments on offer from Jane Shuttleworth, a bookmaker and bar open all day. The crowd cash challenge is also back where one lucky person can win £50.

First round draw: Dalton Cricket Club

8.45am: Graeme Liver v Dave Gwillam, Neil Wright v Chris Jolley, Alan Gilpin v Mike Simpson, Simon Brown v Matthew Simpson.

9.15am: Billy Thornton v Gary Ellis, John Ashton v Jackie Gloag, Sandi Johnson v Tony Whitehouse, Greg Smith v Nigel Burns.

9.45am: Alan Newsham v Matty Clegg, John Reilly v Danny Rogers, Lee Evans v Jack Hargreaves, Joe Melvin v Noel Mcalley.

10.15am: David Poole v Andy Judson, Matt Hill v Kenny Knowles, Steve Nott v Jimmy Derby, Matt Gilmore v Ian Pullin.

10.45am: Stu Turnbull v Barry Simm, Mark Martindale v Richy Goddard, Paul Holt v Gareth Jones, Chris Willan v Jack Knowles.

11.15am: Andy Murray v John Hodson, Dan Varcoe v Darren Naylor, Stuart Price v Matt Fellows, Paul Kissock v Matty Stewart.

11.45am: Geoff Maudsley v Peter Jones, Peter Sullivan v Adam Miller, Liam Baxter v Danny Edmonds, John Preston v Mick Burns.

12.15pm: Barry Lowden v Tommy Johnstone, Danny Ferris v Barry Booth, Chris Barton v Lee Brown, Andy Ferris v Andy Cairns.

Askam

8.45am: Andy Rigg v Liam Howard, Mark Gordon v Denise Hodge, Jonny Davies v Roy Moxham, Mark Melvin v Colin Leishman.

9.15am: Dan Monks v Andy Howie, Luke Jones v Wendy Huddlestone, Jon Price v Trevor MacPake, Ben Gloag v Paul Lewis.

9.45am: Paul Baddeley v Chris Bly, John Lloyd v Zach Walker, Andy McDonald v Tom Roden, Callum Wraight v Andy Delooze.

10.15am: Ryan Prosser v James Duffin, Matt Gillies v Gary Mills, Jamie Dunn v David Wilson, Gareth Knowles v Maurice Edmonds.

10.45am: Kevan Shaw v Wayne Ditchfield, Mark Burdett v Sam Bailey, David Kent v Ben Ryder, Paul Johnston v Paul Lamb.

11.15am: Kevin Toal v James Dennison, Lian Knowles v David Liley, Martin Gilpin v Chris Hodge, Gareth Gwillam v Mark Johnson.

11.45am: Jimmy Hynes v Martin Wilson, Dan Bowater v Ian Nicholson, Steve Ashburn v Adam Jackson, Andy Thornton v Ste Waugh.

12.15pm: Steve Porter v Darren Woodend, Jonny Richardson v Lee Johnstone, Martin Hodson v David Cragg, Emma Thornton v Mark Ashburn.

Thanks go to the sponsors; Ross Estate Agencies, Drakes Pride, The Old Vicarage (Askam in Furness), Andy Rigg Carpets, Brathay Lodge, Progression Solicitors, Chequers Hotel, MGL Group, Zone Golf, Driving Sales, HBP Ltd, Job Vacancies Direct, Huddle Hub, Virginia House, Piping Hot Plumbing and Heating, Cumbria Training Centre, Golden Ball, South Lakes Lettings, The Bridge Auto Diesel Technics and The Black Dog.