GLYNN Cookson insists he is under no pressure to perform at this weekend’s British Senior Individual Merit in north Wales.

The Wharton Cons star qualified for this year’s edition in style after winning the Cheshire Senior Merit for a fifth time, although he is looking no further than a first-round meeting with Ian Brown.

“He won the Derbyshire county competition, so I expect him to be handy,” said Cookson.

“I don’t have anything to prove, I’ve won the tournament before so I don’t need to think about that.

“It’s still a special day, no matter how many times you qualify, and I’ll go there intending to enjoy myself like always.”

Cookson captured the All England title – as it is referred to by bowlers – in 1997.

He reached the final a second time seven years ago, losing narrowly to Callum Wraight.

A defeat in the last 32 ended his involvement last year when Thomas Vickers, a teammate at the Tin Mission, went on to lift the trophy for the first time.

Cookson said: “It takes an enormous effort, emotionally more than physically, to wins six games in one day.

“I’m 58 now, so less sure I can do something like that.

“But I’m playing well, and winning the county final gave me as much satisfaction as any of the other titles.”

He edged out Steve Morrey, who plays Jonathan Blakeman (Warwick) in the first round at Llay Miners Welfare on Saturday, by a single chalk in the Cheshire Senior Merit final.

Comberbach member James Gurney, beaten by Morrey in the semi finals, makes his competition debut at the Wrexham club.

Philip Holroyd (Yorkshire) is his first opponent.