Norfolk has two World Champions as England triumph

: Selwyn; 18 March 2024; Hits: 1218

Norfolk has two World Champions as England triumph

It proved to be a great World Championships for England as they won two World titles, three runners-up spots and the Team Title in Belfast. Wymondham & Norfolk’s Jack Pye & AJ Brown, playing with Adam Smith, are the new World Short Mat Bowls Triples Champions after cruising through the three days with win after win culminating in victory against the talented Irish triple of Jim Fox, Shane Hand & Paul Duff. Together they played some superb bowls to win a close final that saw them trailing by 7-6 after nine ends. The England triple edged ahead on the tenth end on which AJ Brown played two superb shots to put the Irish triple under pressure before going on to clinch the title. The World Pairs Final saw Norfolk’s Jason Woods & Chris Willies facing Saul Featherstone & Ryan Knights in an all England match with Jason & Chris having to settle for the runners-up spot after a competitive match. Jason & Chris did wonderfully well to reach the final after a difficult first day after which they fought back to grab second place in their group. On reflection they will be more than satisfied with their excellent performances over the weekend and earning the World Pairs runners-up spot. England’s Adam Easthope, Nathan Caines, Craig Strong & Ross Dunkley were runners-up in the World Fours losing to Aled Edwards, Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Mikey John of Wales. Norfolk’s Gary Best played at number three with Danny Hogben, Richard Stagg & Jody Frampton and they made it as far as the semi-finals. In the World Singles Gary McNabb earned the host nation their only title beating England’s Matty Worden in the final. McNabb beat much fancied England singles specialist Alex Kley in the semi-finals.