Mountainous task is in store for Annabelle

BEAUMARIS A and Craig-y-Don will confront each other tomorrow in the final of the Gwynedd Bowls Cup, with the county president, David Hughes hosting the occasion at his own club’s green at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The annual junior championship of the Anglesey/Bangor and District Bowls League will be arranged this Friday from 11am at Llanfairpwll, with the host club’s Gwynfor Parry (01248-714188) as the organiser.

Entry is free and competitors must have been under-18 on April 1, 2017.

The Monday Division of the Anglesey/Bangor and District Bowls League will stage their annual pairs’ competition this coming Sunday at Bethesda.

The Rachub club’s secretary Dilwyn Owen (01248-600074) is the organiser, the entry fee is £6 per pair and play will start at noon.

Menai Bridge’s Beach Road green has been chosen as the neutral venue for the showdown between Caernarfon and Llangefni in the Eric Whitworth Cup final, within the Anglesey/ Bangor and District Bowls League’s Monday Division, next Monday evening, July 31. ANNABELLE McQueen has been selected for the Under-16 British Athletics team to compete in the World Mountain Running Championships ( up and down) in Premana, Italy, on Sunday.

The pupil, who attends Ysgol y Creuddyn in Penrhyn Bay, is a member of Eryri Harriers and is one of four members making the journey to Italy as part of the junior women’s squad.

McQueen, who is coached by Steve Livett and Andrew Walling, is joined by Scarlet Dale, who made her first appearance for the British team two years ago, Heidi Davies and Bella Williams.

Chris Smith leads the way in the men’s team after a sterling performance at the trials in Sedburgh last weekend. The Thames Valley athlete was also part of the bronze medal winning senior men’s team at the 2015 edition of these championships, held on home soil in Wales.

Compatriot Andy Douglas was also part of that triumphant team in Betws-y-Coed, and finished in sixth place in the individual event, so he will be targeting another high place finish at the 2017 edition. Graham Gristwood and 2015 world cross country championship junior team member, Joe Steward add further strength to the quartet.

Sarah Tunstall was an impressive fourth at the home championships two years ago, and she will be targeting the podium in Italy next month. The 2015 world mountain running world cup winner is an experienced and valuable team member, and was part of the gold medal winning senior women’s team in 2015, as well as winning indi- vidual world bronze in 2009.

Adding further might to the senior women’s quartet who will seek to defend their title is trials winner Katie Walshaw, Rebecca Hilland and Rebecca Robinson.

After back-to-back wins at British Athletics trial events in June, Chris Richards secured his place on the plane to Premana. Alongside him in the British junior men’s team are Josh Boyle, Elliott Matier and Nathan Smith.

Team leader Sarah Rowell said: “This championship represents an opportunity for our strong British Athletics team to compete alongside the best in the world over the discipline.

“We have a number of familiar faces in the team but it is exciting to see new athletes earning their first British moun- tain running vests.

“We have a strong squad which will be challenging for team medals as well as individuals targeting the podium places. After great success in Wales two years ago, I am looking forward to seeing how this team fares in Italy.”

The British Athletics team for the World Mountain Running Championships (Up and Down) in Premana, Italy:

Senior men: Andy Douglas, Graham Gristwood, Chris Smith, Joe Steward.

Senior women: Rebecca Hilland, Rebecca Robinson, Sarah Tunstall, Katie Walshaw.

Junior women: Heidi Davies, Scarlet Dale, Annabelle McQueen, Bella Williams.

Junior men: Josh Boyle, Elliott Matier, Chris Richards, Nathan Smith.