Blackball (2003): Cast, Box Office & Plot

Cliff Starkey [Paul Kaye] is a rebellious young bowls player raised on the Lynx Estate, who drifts through life with his friend Trevor [Johnny Vegas] and his grandfather Mutley [Bernard Cribbins], a painter and decorator. He dreams of representing England, but his love of playing by his own rules puts him at odds with the local Torquay bowls club. When he learns of Australian brothers Carl and Mark Doohan’s forthcoming tour of England, he hatches a plan to break through and earn a spot on the national team. Cliff would go on to dominate the tournament, pushing toward an undefeated run and eventually defeating the veteran player (and thirteen-time champion) Ray Speight [James Cromwell], a figure who looms large as the head of the local lawn bowls association.