England came within four points of doing the double at the British Bowls International Series for the third year running after a fine four days of bowls at the Scottish Bowling Centre in Scotland.
Facing the top talents from Jersey, Ireland, Wales and a Scotland team keen to impress the home supporters, both teams acquitted themselves brilliantly and showed yet again why England is one of the main powers on the World Bowls circuit.
Much like the International Para Series earlier in the week – which England won – both competitions came down to a final session between England and Scotland.
Both matches were won by England, seeing the Women open up a 12-point winning position but leaving the men three-points shy of their rivals after having too much of a gap to make up.
Undefeated
After the 2025 British Bowls International Series saw England’s Women go undefeated, winning eight games from eight, the pressure was on to live up to that feat and replicate that result.
The team did just that, finishing with eight match wins, 86 points and a shot difference of +190.
Due to the format of the British Bowls, where the Men and Women play matches of Singles/Fours combined and Pairs/Triples combined, the performance of every player matters.
A bad day in the Singles for England could mean the difference between winning and losing a couple of matches.
The Series started on the front foot with a 10-4 downing of Wales in the Pairs and Triples before an emphatic 12-2 win over Jersey.
Superb 10-4 wins over Scotland and Ireland in the Triples and Pairs bookended the second day, with the dominant 14-0 Singles and Fours victory against Jersey putting England’s Women in a commanding lead.
The excellent form would continue with a 12-2 result versus Wales on the morning of the third day, before Ireland gave England a true run for their money.
England looked in control after two Singles victories from Sophie Tolchard and Emily Kernick, but strong play in the three games of Fours by Ireland made the match close.
A crucial 14-12 win for Lauren Selway, Izzie White, Morgan Merryweather and Nicole Rogers gave England the 8-6 win and a +3 shot difference.
By the last session, the Gold was England’s to lose holding a six-point lead over Scotland.
The home team battled hard but more magic in the Singles by Tolchard, Kernick and Stef Branfield effectively secured the gold medal, with another Fours win from Selway, White, Merryweather and Rogers icing on the cake.
Ten of the Best
Gold and Silver Separated by Three Points
England’s Men bested the gold medal winning Scots 8-6 in the Singles and Fours and 10-4 in the Pairs and Triples, however points dropped elsewhere during the weekend gave the home team the narrow overall victory.
Similar to the England Women, the Men’s team got off to a winning start against Wales, beating them 9-5 and later in the day, triumphing in their first match versus Scotland.
Bisecting those excellent result however was a narrow loss to a very good Ireland squad, vastly improved from last season.
The teams won three games apiece, but Ireland’s +8 shot advantage gave them the extra two points to claim the win.
England would get their revenge in the Pairs and Triples the next day, winning 9-5 before cruising to a 12-2 defeat of Jersey.
The third day brought with it a convincing 11-3 win over Wales, and a Sunday morning 14-0 sweep of Jersey gave England their best hope of a sizeable comeback – but they needed a nine-point swing over Scotland.
Four wins came in; just one more needed to claim a famous victory.
But, the Scottish are a world class bowls nation themselves, and just managed to hang on for the win.
Manager’s Thoughts
I am very proud of our talented squad of players. Their commitment and ability shone through, and they were a credit to themselves and to the England team. Despite enforced changes, with new combinations being formed and many players selected in different positions, the girls rose to the challenge. They demonstrated their versatility on the international stage, supporting each other both on and off the green, and were united as one team.
We knew that securing six points against a strong Scottish side would be a true test, and the girls responded with professionalism and determination. As a manager, you bowl every bowl, experience every emotion, and you support your team wholeheartedly. There is no greater feeling than witnessing your team perform at their best, enjoy a well-deserved success, and return home proudly with a gold medal.
Sandy Hazell, Women’s Team Manager
I am very pleased with how the team approached and played throughout the Series. There were lots of standout performances during the four days in Ayr. That standard of play from all the countries this year was exceptionally high. I would like to thank Bowls Scotland for putting on a brilliant show and running the event so well.
Kirk Smith, Men’s Team Manager
Final Standings
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