SMPT WORLD CUP (Friday)
In the SMPT Bowls Trader World Cup Ireland wrapped up the title yet again. They defeated Sweden in the semi-finals by 44-38 on shots with a 19-10 win by Gary McNabb against Eroll Morina and an 11-9 win by Mark Beattie against Carin Carlsson earning them their place in the final again. For Sweden Jonas Hager won 11-6 against Nathan Haire and Joel Hager won 9-8 against Don McNamara. In the other semi-final Wales beat England 43-36 on shots with both teams winning two games apiece. Winning for Wales were Arwel Morgan who beat Craig Burgess 18-5 and Rory Gittoes who beat Alex Kley 10-9. England’s wins came from Peter Roberts who beat Andrew Jones 12-8 and Nigel Nicholls who beat Dafydd Howell 10-7. In the final Ireland beat Wales 48-38 winning three of the four games. Nathan Haire beat Dafydd Howell 14-7, Gary McNabb beat Rory Gittoes 15-8 and Mark Beattie beat Andrew Jones 13-9. Arwel Morgan claimed Wales only win beating Don McNamara 14-6.
IRELAND
(photo courtesy of SMPT)
UK OPEN (Saturday & Sunday)
The SMPT UK Open took place at the weekend in Essex where Alastair McCrea retained his title with an 11-9 win in the final against Stephen Gale of the Isle of Man. In the secondary competitions Glenn Harvey won the Plate while John Pye won the Shield. Norfolk had three representatives in the event, Jack Marshall, Chris Willies & Neil Davidson. Neil Davidson finished top of Group 31 winning four games and losing one. In the first UK Open knock-out round Neil lost 9-7 to Sibe Laureys in a tight encounter. Chris Willies finished second in Group 19 to also qualify for the main UK Open competition winning four of his five games but went down 14-6 to Sam Harvey in the first knock-out round. Wymondham’s Jack Marshall finished third in Group 6, winning two games, losing two games and drawing one so qualified for the Plate competition knock-outs. He got through the first round beating Shannon Mead 12-11 but lost in the second round by 11-1 to Jamie Wade.
ALASTAIR McCREA - UK Open Winner
(photo courtesy of SMPT)