The British Isles Championships were hosted by the ESMBA at the Scarborough Indoor Bowls Club in Yorkshire this weekend with five Norfolk based bowlers representing their country. It was the first major championship with new England Manager Steve McAlister in the hotseat but once again Ireland dominated the team events winning both the Premier and “A” Team titles. England Premier made an excellent start on Saturday morning beating Ireland 45-35 on shots with Wymondham’s Jack Pye in good form at lead in Bronagh Toleman’s rink who won their game 13-7. But from then on Ireland were on the front foot beating Wales twice, Scotland twice and then beating England in their second meeting. Ireland Premier finished champions on ten points and +120 shots, England took the runner-up spot with eight points and +22 shots. Wales were third with six points and +3 shots and Scotland last with no points and -145 shots. Toleman’s rink, with Pye leading, won five games out of six. East Tuddenham’s Chris Willies skipped a rink for England Premier winning two games over the weekend. In the Premier individual events Bronagh Toleman, Lawrence Moffat and Lee Toleman enjoyed a weekend to remember at their home venue as they lifted the British Isles Premier Triples title after beating the Irish and Welsh triples and drawing with Scotland. Stuart Anderson’s Scottish triple finished as runners-up with Wales third. It was certainly surprising to see Ireland, with Gary McNabb skipping, finishing fourth. In the Premier singles event England’s David Newsome finished third, the winner was Jack Edwards of Wales with Ireland’s Andrew Morrison second. The Premier Pairs was won by Wales with Ireland second. England’s Ollie Hipkiss and Ryan Knights were placed third. A surprise result in the Premier Fours saw Stuart Hiddleston’s Scottish four lift the title with Wales in second place, Ireland third and Adam Smith’s England rink fourth.
The British Isles “A” Team Championships was won by Ireland with eleven points and +127 shots, England were runners-up with eight points and +20, Wales third with five points and -14 shots while Scotland failed to score any points and finished on -133 shots. Three Norfolk bowlers were part of the England “A” team that lifted runner-up trophies. David Lamb skipped a rink with Simon Willies at number three while Jason Woods played at number two in Ed Sawbridge’s rink. The individual “A” Team events saw England win the singles title as Edward Sawbridge of Northants finished as champion with Arwel Morgan of Wales second and Ireland’s Mark Hamilton third. The “A” Team Pairs, Triples and Fours events were all won by Ireland. Dan Winmill and Jack Knight of England were runners-up in the pairs and Saul Featherstone, Elliott James and Stephen Holdsworth of England were runners-up in the triples. Wales took the runners-up spot in the Fours with John Lax, Nathan Caines, John Mills and Anthony Fautley of England third. Short mat bowls followers were able to see some of the action, and enjoy the experience of this major event in the sport, due to the great efforts of Karl Hudson streaming on Facebook. This does raise the question as to why it is left to just one determined individual to provide the opportunity for short mat bowlers to view the sport they love.