Bowls: Wales earn a share of the spoils

Apr 3 2008 by Steve Jones, South Wales Echo

WALES’ young bowlers came from behind to secure a thrilling draw in their annual Under-16 International Test Series against Scotland.

The match, which was played at Cynon Valley IBC, featured youngsters competing in singles, pairs, triples and rinks disciplines – and finished at 16-16.

The series was played between male and female bowlers and the games were drawn so male bowlers were drawn against ladies so breaking down the divide between the sexes.

The official opening ceremony saw the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Councillor Jane Ward, delivering the first bowl in front of large crowd.

The first session consisted of six games of pairs and at the end of this both countries had won three games each, with the pairs of Katie Lewis & Liam Stone, Ashley Brown & Ross Owen and Daniel Salmon & Chris Berry returning Wales’ winning scores.

In the afternoon session there were four games of singles and two rinks.

In the singles, both Owen and Stone won while Lewis and Newcombe lost to leave the match score at 10-10.

In the rinks Berry’s Welsh quartet won, but Thomas Holmes found the Scottish four in excellent form and went down heavily.

The final session of play, consisting of three singles and three triples matches, started early on Sunday with the match tied at 12 points each.

The singles matches finished first with Scotland winning two of the three games, resulting in them building a 16-14 point lead, which meant that Wales needed to win all three triples to win the series.

The Scottish triple of Graham Stewart, Jamie Aitkin & Adam Johnson were far too strong for the first Welsh triple and guaranteed Scotland at least a drawn series.

But Wales showed their fighting qualities and won both remaining triples ties, resulting in a drawn series at 16-16.

Wales’ Liam Stone (Merthyr Tydfil) and Ross Owen (Cynon Valley) proved to be the stars of the home team as both remained unbeaten, after winning all three of their respective matches, while Ashley Brown won the two games she played in.

The presentations of medals to both teams were made by the President of the World Bowls Board, Brian Davies and John Llewellyn (Immediate Past President of the WIBA).

They also presented the trophy to both captains for the countries to share for six months each.

DEFENDING WIBA Dales Floors Cup champions Islwyn are now just one step away from retaining their title, with Cynon Valley, competing in their first ever national final, the sole remaining obstacle.

The final will be played on Sunday at Dinefwr IBC (2pm).