LOCAL star Dave Fryer suffered the pain of defeat as the ever-popular Alexandra Classic crown green bowls competition once again proved itself to be one of the leading events in the north of England.

Blackburn’s Fryer battled through the rain which swept across the Dukes Brow greens over the course of Sunday afternoon to reach the final – but his dreams of glory were ended by Callum Wraight, who travelled up from Shrewsbury to take part in the event.

Wraight, who is Shropshire county champion claimed the £400 first prize in the event, which is sponsored by Star Bars and Clubs, after beating Fryer 31-26 in an excellent final in front of a big crowd at the Alexandra pub.

For much if the final it appeared that Fryer would be keeping the silverware in East Lancashire and he opened up a 22-15 lead over the Shropshire star.

Wraight fought back to make it 25-20 as he turned up the heat – and with the county ace finding his range, Fryer could only manage one extra chalk as he was beaten 31-26.

Hyndburn ace Craig Rammell also had a good run in the competition and he reached the semi-final.

But his hopes were dashed by an imperious Fryer show as he raced to a 31-15 win, while Wraight booked his place in the final after he beat another man from outside the area Paul Wilson in a tight last-four clash.

Lytham’s Wilson looked good for a win as he went out in front only for Wraight to haul him back and win 31-25.

Wilson had beaten Salesbury’s Nigel Fryer 31-23 in the last eight, while Dave Fryer eased through that stage with a 31-14 win over fellow Blackburn star Brian Topham.

This year’s event marked the 24th year of the Alex Classic and organisers are already making plans for their quarter century celebrations in a year’s time.

n Results Quarter-finals: C Ramell 31 H Hargreaves 27, D Fryer 31 B Topham 14, C Wraight 31 G Pilkington 16, P Wilson 31 Nigel Fryer 23 Semi-final: C Wraight 31 P Wilson 25, D Fryer 31 C Ramell 15 Final: C Wraight 31 D Fryer 26