The British Isles Championships, Premier and “A”, were held in Wales at the weekend and once again Ireland dominated the event winning eight of the ten titles on offer with one each for England and Wales while Scotland left empty handed. The International team featured Bob Carter’s Gary Best but Ireland, after losing their opening match 46-41 against the host nation, reeled off five straight wins which included wins of 45-18 & 51-31 against England and a massive 73-18 win against the Scots in round five. That was more than enough to leave Ireland as British Isles Team Champions with Wales in second place, England third and Scotland last. The rink that Gary Best played in returned four wins from their six games.
James Trott of Devon provided a rare moment of celebration for England as he lifted the British Isles Singles trophy relegating Irish legend Joseph Beattie into second place. Certainly for Trott it will be a moment he will savour for a long time. Wales lifted their only title of the weekend in the British Isles Pairs where Andrew Evans & Sean Hughes finished as champions with England’s Mike Clancy & Ben Holbrook as runners-up, Ireland third and Scotland fourth. In the British Isles Triples Ronald, Gordon & Ray Stubbs of Ireland finished as champions with England’s Tom Clough, Steve Holdsworth & Ryan Knight second. Third were Wales and Scotland fourth. The British Isles Rinks Championships proved to be a disappointment for England’s Adam Easthope, Allan Williams, Craig Strong & Ross Dunkley who finished fourth. The winners were Ireland’s Liam McHugh, Keith McCllagh, Paddy Hanlon & Colum McHugh with Wales second and Scotland in third avoiding last place for once.
The British Isles “A” Championships were also held with David Lamb of Halvergate, Neil Davidson of Hempnall and Simon Willies of East Tuddenham all selected for the England “A” International team. Ireland swept to victory in the International Team event with England finishing as runners-up, Wales third and Scotland last. The England “A” fours that David Lamb & Simon Willies played in both scored four wins each and lost two games apiece. Neil Davidson’s four scored a 13-12 win against Wales in the opening session and later added a 20-4 win against Scotland but lost their other four games.
Ireland’s P J Gallagher won the British Isles “A” Singles event with Osian Elias of Wales second, Mikey Ivings of England third and Scotland’s G Allen fourth. Sean Conroy & Gerry McCabe of Ireland won the British Isles “A” Pairs title with England’s Steve Buckett & Alaster McCrea second, Wales third and Scotland fourth. Ireland’s Gavan Blakely, Jack Moffatt & Kyle Blakely won the British Isles “A” Triples title with Wales second, Scotland third and England’s Callum Goodman, Ollie Hipkiss & Becci Cox last.
Jason Woods of Bob Carter was picked to play in the British Isles “A” Rinks Championship with John Mills, Nathan Bailey & Eric Pavey. The title was won by Ireland’s Tom, William, Andrew & David Morrison but the England rink featuring Jason Woods were a close second. Wales were third with Scotland fourth. Jason Woods’ rink won 16-5 against Wales and 22-1 against Scotland but lost 14-2 against the Ireland rink who finished on 4 points and +22. The England rink finished on 4 points and +20 shots while the Welsh also scored 4 points but were -4 overall on shots.
Jason Woods and Gary Best
