Paul Hemming became one of only a handful of players to achieve 100 Senior County Caps for Warwickshire & Worcestershire.

David Perry, Life Member of WWCBA, Past President and former Chairman of County Selectors was invited by the WWCBA Management to give a speech at the end of the Cheshire v WWCBA County match on Sunday 5th June 2022.

Dave Perry gave a commanding speech as only Dave can give; his draft notes have been recorded below and believe it is correct to share with the bowling community.

Tribute to the players from both Cheshire and WWCBA and to the high levels of performance today have now been made by the respective senior officials, I am not seeking to usurp their roles however, I do wish to invite you all to recognise the achievements of a WWCBA senior county player who today has played his 100th senior county match. Please will you join me in congratulating Paul Hemming.

Paul today Joins five other senior WWCBA County bowlers each of whom holds 100 caps, they are Alan Powell, Paul Gambsy, Anthony Bracken, Steve Darling and Carl Fielding.

BCGBA senior county championships were first held in 1908 the winner won the “Crosfield Cup” as it was named at that time, since then the first war years prevented the championship taking place in eight years and then Covid came along, 106 annual championships have been completed since 1908 Cheshire our opponents today have won 20 championships since 1908 and WWCBA have won 11. During these 106 finals Cheshire and WWCBA have played against each other five times only at this championship level. Cheshire have previously won on three occasions 1939 1953 and 1955 and WWCBA I have won on two occasions 1964 and 2015.

There’s some background to note on behalf of WWCBA and I wish to comment on a few statistics attached to the county playing record of Paul Hemmings achievement during the last 25 years.

Paul’s first ever county game was played in May 1997 against Lancashire away Barr Lane Bolton (he lost 20-21) Since then he has played one or more county matches against every other BCGBA County including the Isle of Man.

We know what he has done leading up to today’s 100th match, he has played 47 away winning 20 losing 27 and played 34 home winning 24 losing 10, he has also played 18 supplementary county matches winning 10 and losing eight, That is a fantastic record.

Paul has been a member of a most successful county team in my chairmanship of the county selection committee ended two years ago having chaired the selection of 47 consecutive county teams during which 44 matches were won, Paul played in all 44.

Please now note an incredible statistic during his 25 years county involvement. Paul has represented WWCBA in eight Crossfield cup finals, he has never been in a losing team in all these eight finals.

Universally known as “Mr Angry” his nickname has journeyed with him to the Tally Ho BC. King George V BC, The Greville Arms BC and The George Warley and he’s now probably angry with me!

Paul has represented WWCBA with much energy, skill, enthusiasm, humour and has always demonstrated a willingness to help at any level.

Would you all please congratulate Paul on achieving this wonderful milestone.

Paul was presented with the WWCBA commemorative 100 cap badge, following his 21-12 win today against Craig McGuigan of Cheshire.

Congratulations Paul Hemming!!!