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Three Norfolk bowlers entered the SMPT English Masters, played at Falcon Bowling and Social Club in Chelmsford, but only Jason Woods made it into the knock-outs of the main competition after finishing top of his group with four wins and just one defeat. Saturday morning started well with a 12-6 win against Ricky Pyle but this was followed by a 12-9 loss to John Jillings. But Woods recovered well with three straight wins to qualify for the main competition knock-outs. Unfortunately he exited at this stage after a one shot defeat against Andrew Shorney in a tight game. Norfolk’s other two entries, David Blundell and John Jeffery, were unlucky to be drawn out in the same group. They met in the opening session on the first day with David Blundell coming out on top by 13-10. Two defeats followed for Blundell as he went down by 15-7 to Belgium’s Ils Belmans and by 9-6 to William Esler. He returned to winning ways with a 10-9 result against Gordon Watts before an 18-10 defeat against Emily Poulter of the USA left him in third place in the group and a place in the Plate knock-outs where he was eliminated after losing 10-9 to Gareth Hill. John Jeffery finished in fifth place in the group with Blundell, Jeffery, Esler and Gordon Watts all finishing on six points. John Jeffery gained his points with a 15-6 win against Gordon Watts and a 14-10 win against Ils Belmans. He was eliminated in the first knock-out round after losing 14-5 to Danny Curl. Mark Beattie lifted the English Masters title, his sixth SMPT title, after yet  another weekend of impressive bowling by the Irish ace. He defeated Lawrence Moffat of Scotland in the final by 11-4. The Plate Final saw Lee Toleman of England beat Simon Pridham of Cyprus 13-7. In the Shield section Kieran Evans of Wales beat Chris Banfield of England 14-3.