BEST OF LOCAL BOWLS AT COUNTY FINALS
All the bowls latest from around the rinks of Devon, Cornwall and further afield
BOWLS
CORNWALL’S England international Mark Read linked up with Middleton Cup intercounty team-mates Ben Cotton and Norman Coad to take the Duchy men’s triples trophy back to Stenalees.
Meanwhile at Culm Vale, Devon’s James Webber, who made his senior international debut in 2008 alongside Read, was winning the county pairs alongside Shaldon club-mate Steve Davies, beating Plymouth’s Mark Pacey and Zach Kidd 23-7 in the final.
Men’s county finals day either side of the Tamar showcased the best of Westcountry bowls. Phil Hackett, Adrian O’Neil and Matt Bass beat Kings clubmates Rob Honeywell, Craig Down and Harry Goodwin 16-13 in the triples. Later, with Craig Down on board, the wining triple triumphed
in the fours, ending an excellent run by Barnstaple’s Derek Dennis, James Withers, Adam Loveridge and Colin Woodcock (Utd Services) 18-13.
But there was disappointment for Woodcock’s clubmate John Short after the long-serving veteran was beaten 21-13 by Topsham’s Jamie Heard.
Launceston’s Adam Brooks got it just right by declaring it a “very good day” after he and his Carnon Down clubmates won the Cornwall pairs and fours thanks to Peter Brook, Steve Lawer, David Roe, Mark Eddy and Olly Bennett. It was Gary Frost (Newquay Trenance) who denied them a clean sweep after beating Adam Brooks in the singles final.
In the junior men’s U25-singles final, rising young stars Frazer Hawkey (Camborne) and Alisdair Williams (Porthleven) continue to shine. The Bowls England junior pairs quarter finalists won the county junior final with Hawkey beating his partner in the singles final. “It was the culmination of a great season for great friends, teammates and occasional foes,” remarked Camborne’s Roger Moyle.
Devon’s Harry Goodwin was looking to win the England U25 pairs for the second year but finished runnerup, this time with county junior championship winning partner Dominic Tuckett (Culm Vale).
Devon’s Allan Seth (Bideford) retained his men’s singles title at the UK Police Championships in Essex and was runner-up in the men’s pairs with Gary Matthews. “Unfortunately, we lost a cracking final by one shot to deserved champions Glyn Milbourne and Russell Thompson,” said the Bideford bowler.
The following local players have been invited to attend an England squad training day on Sunday, September 22 at Nuneaton. Men: Jamie Chestney (Devon); Ian Lesley (Devon); Robert Paxton (Devon); Louis Ridout (Devon); Sam Tolchard (Devon);. Women: Stef Branfield (Somerset); Natalie Chestney (Devon); Emma Cooper (Devon); Laura Holden (Somerset).