STEVE Morrey attempts to bring back the British Senior Individual Merit title from Derby this weekend.

The Castle bowler, who claimed the county title for a second time last month, travels to Derby venue Rolls Royce Leisure - considered to be one of the best settings in the country for the sport - for the 2019 edition.

And once there he will take on Dave Bennett in the first round.

A regular for St Oswalds in the Warrington and North Cheshire Bowls Association, he finished as runner-up to Damian Morrison at the Lancashire Merit.

Morrey is in a testing top-half of the draw that includes three former ‘All England’ winners in the form of Noel Burrows (Cheshire), Graeme Wilson (Yorkshire) and Callum Wraight (Shropshire).

The latter, a champion in 2008, has been installed by bookmakers as a 7/2 favourite.

Wilson is next on the list at 8/1, while Morrey starts at 20/1.

Should he see off Bennett, then Merseyside champion Kevin Kearns is a potential opponent at the next stage.

However Cheshire's best bowler knows what he is letting himself for.

He reached the last four on his previous visit to the British Crown Green Bowling Association’s annual showcase two years ago at Nuneaton.

Meanwhile in 2014, coincidentally also after winning the Cheshire Merit, his run to the semi-finals was halted by eventual runner-up Ant Bracken (Warwick & Worcester).

“After two semi-finals, maybe it can be third-time lucky,” said Morrey.

“It’s a competition that’s at the top of a list of ones I want to play in every year.

“I feel I’m capable of winning it, and hopefully if I can squeeze through the first round then I can get on a roll.”

The 104th edition of the British Senior Individual Merit takes place this Saturday, from 10am.

Lee Johnstone (Houldsworth) and Noel Burrows (Sale Excelsior) are Cheshire's other representatives.

Wharton Cons ace Tom Vickers, who lifted the trophy in 2015, missed out despite reaching the county merit's last four.