The 2024 Aviva National Finals, the pinnacle event in the bowls calendar, spanned an impressive 18 days and displayed top-tier talent, with 38 champions emerging from a series of closely contested matches.
The finals kicked off with a win in the Women’s Fours, where Warwickshire’s team of Michelle Meadowcroft, Ellie Hamblett, Emily Kernick, and Kirsty Richards clinched the first title of the event. Their victory set a high standard for the competition as each final that followed delivered spectacular moments filled with high-quality bowls.
In the Men’s Singles, Devon’s Jamie Walker demonstrated exceptional skill and determination to take home the title for a second time, while Worcestershire’s Izzie White emerged victorious in the Women’s Singles, adding another prestigious title to her achievements. Jamie and Izzie will head to Australia in 2025 for the World Champion of Champions.
Day 10 of the finals was marked by a solemn moment of respect as attendees observed a minute’s silence in honour of Norma Hazzledine MBE, a beloved figure in the bowls community, who recently passed away. The silence was followed by a stirring victory for Norma’s county Derbyshire in the Men’s Triples, where Josh Grant, Dan Thornhill, and Philip Broughton delivered a remarkable performance, securing a win that will be long remembered.
Some defending champions successfully retained their titles, underscoring their dominance in their respective competitions. Somerset’s Laura Holden was once again victorious by winning the Women’s Two-Bowl Singles, while Lily-Mae Adams and Emily Kernick (Warwickshire) repeated their success in the Women’s Junior Pairs.
The event also saw several counties achieving significant milestones. Millie Tuck became Dorset’s first-ever winner of the Women’s Junior Singles. Similarly, Kieran Jaycock made history for Buckinghamshire by becoming their first winner of the Men’s Junior Singles. Also celebrating first-time victories were Norfolk in the Balcomb Trophy, Appleyard BC (Kent) in the Women’s Top Club and Warwickshire in the White Rose Trophy.
Buckinghamshire’s Gerrards Cross BC made headlines by securing an incredible double, winning both the Men’s Club Two Fours and Men’s Top Club titles. This rare achievement underscored the club’s depth of talent and commitment to excellence.
The National Finals also featured strong performances in the Disability Bowls England (DBE) competitions. Kieran Rollings showcased his skill by winning the DBE Singles, while the duo of Jonathan Stokes and Jack Pullin triumphed in the DBE Men’s Pairs, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event and the high level of competition in disability bowls.
Special thanks go to the dedicated volunteers, players, umpires, and greenkeepers, whose hard work and commitment ensured the event’s smooth running. Thanks also go to the unwavering support of the spectators, both those present at the venue and those watching from home.
With many new champions crowned and records set, this year’s finals will be remembered as one of the most successful and inspiring in the competition’s history.
Week Three Report
Men’s Fours | Mon 26th – Thu 29th August
Vines Park BC, Worcestershire, emerged victorious in the Men’s Fours competition. The team comprised Steve Poyner, Chris Barton, Gareth Burbridge, and Richard Moule. In the final, they secured an 18-15 win against the Southey BC team from Surrey, which included Rob Dodds, Joseph Tindall, Jamie Tindall, and Charlie Souter. Their path to victory also featured a notable 14-9 win against Essex County BC (Essex) in the semi-final, where they faced Simon Kittle, Gary Telling, Steve Gunnell, and Edward Morris.
DBE Singles Final | Thu 29th August
In the Disability Bowls England (DBE) Singles, Kieran Rollings emerged as the champion after a thrilling match against Fynn Kyser. The final was a high-quality contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The game started evenly, with the scores level at 5-5 before Fynn surged ahead to lead 11-5.
However, Kieran made a remarkable comeback to tie the game at 11-11, and from there, the players exchanged shots in a tense battle. Fynn eventually led 18-17, but on the last end, Kieran held his nerve and the shot, with three of his other bowls nearby. Fynn attempted a bold runner with his final bowl but was unfortunate with the result, leaving Kieran with four shots to reach the 21 required for victory. The final score was 21-18 in favour of Kieran.
Men’s Junior Pairs | Tue 27th – Fri 30th August
The Men’s Junior Pairs title was won by Cumbria’s Ryan Corkill and Callum Hodgson, who defeated Carlos Lali and Ryan Lali from Berkshire 18-14 in the final. Their semi-final saw them overcome Gloucestershire’s Dylan Williamson and Finley Williamson with a 17-10 win.
Women’s Junior Pairs | Tue 27th – Fri 30th August
Lily-Mae Adams and Emily Kernick from Warwickshire successfully defended their Women’s Junior Pairs title, winning 19-13 against Surrey’s Jemma Tuohy and Yaz Hasan in the final. Their journey to victory included a hard-fought 16-13 win over Hertfordshire’s Rhianna Russell and Reba Powell-Birley in the semi-final.
Men’s Senior Fours | Tue 27th – Fri 30th August
David Lee, Laurence Kelly, Tom Prescot and John Baird (Carlisle Subscription BC, Cumbria) held their nerve to win 18 – 11 against David Simpson, John Godman, Kirk Smith and Alan Price (Gerrards Cross BC, Buckinghamshire) in the Men’s Senior Fours final. In the semi-final, they narrowly pipped Ian Henwood, Paul Comley, Ray Gaskins and Howard Watts (Headington BC, Oxfordshire) 16-15.
Women’s Senior Fours | Tue 27th – Fri 30th August
Lesley Johnson, Alice Atwell, Hazel Marke and Margaret Holden (Alton Social BC, Hampshire) edged the Women’s Senior Fours final after beating Dawn Horne, Caroline Edwards (Sub from Round 3), Jenny Wickens and Janice White (Anita Cowdrill played Round One and Two) (Royal Leamington Spa BC, Warwickshire) with a 14-13 win. The Hampshire quartet impressively beat Tania Cordial, Jill Evans, Julie Leake and Bridget Hodder (Poole Park BC, Dorset) 23-8 in the semi-final.
Men’s Two Bowl Singles | Thu 29th – Fri 30th August
Tom Bishop of Hollycroft Park BC (Leicestershire) emerged as the champion in the Men’s Two Bowl Singles. He secured a 17-10 win in the final against Mark Housley (Langwith Junction BC, Nottinghamshire). Tom’s run to the title was marked by convincing victories, including a 15-8 win over Scott Edwards (Royal Wootton Bassett BC, Wiltshire) in the semi-final.
Men’s Two Bowl Singles results
Women’s Two Bowl Singles | Thu 29th – Fri 30th August
Laura Holden of Clevedon BC (Somerset) successfully retained her Women’s Two Bowl Singles title, defeating Lorraine Kuhler (Oxford City & County BC, Oxfordshire) 15-12 in the final. Laura’s semi-final was a close encounter, where she won 16-12 against Jorja Jackson (Brampton BC, Huntingdonshire).
Women’s Two Bowl Singles results
Men’s Top Club | Fri 30th – Sat 31st August
Gerrards Cross BC (Buckinghamshire) celebrated an impressive double as they secured the Men’s Top Club title. They defeated Reading BC (Berkshire) 3.5-1.5 in the final, adding to their earlier Men’s Club Two Fours victory. Their semi-final victory saw them edge out Brampton BC (Huntingdonshire) with a 3-2 win.
Women’s Top Club | Fri 30th – Sat 31st August
Appleyard BC (Kent) won their first Women’s Top Club title after a narrow 65-62 (2-2) victory on shots against Southey BC (Surrey). The Kent side reached the final after defeating Kings BC (Devon), who had dominated the competition as champions for the previous five years.
Mixed Pairs | Fri 30th – Sat 31st August
Lincolnshire’s Alan Dent Jnr and Amy Pharaoh were victorious in the Mixed Pairs final with a resounding 23-7 win over Rhianna Russell and Glenn Williams from Hertfordshire. This marked their second Mixed Pairs title, having previously won in 2011. They reached the final after defeating Cornwall’s Stacey Quick and Allan Seth 19-14 in the semi-final.
DBE North v South Challenge | Sat 31st August
The North team emerged victorious in the Maggie Smith MBE North v South Challenge, winning the coveted shield. The match was followed by a heartfelt speech from Maggie Smith MBE, celebrating the competition and camaraderie.
DBE Mixed Triples | Sun 1st September
Rhys Taylor, Jamie Pugsley, and Steve Grant triumphed in the DBE Mixed Triples, held on C Green. Supported by the Friends of English Bowling, the winners were presented with the plate by Kath Lloyd.
Johns Trophy | Sun 1st September
Lincolnshire secured their sixth Johns Trophy title with a 125-111 win against Somerset in the final. Their path to victory included a 117-108 triumph over Essex in the semi-final.
Middleton Cup | Sun 1st September
Wiltshire lifted the Middleton Cup for the second time in their history, defeating Northumberland 106-91 in the final. The team had earlier triumphed over Huntingdonshire with a 130-89 win in the semi-final, while Northumberland reached the final after a thrilling extra-end victory against Buckinghamshire.
Week Two Report
To read the Week Two Report, please click here.
Featuring Men’s Junior Singles, Women’s Junior Singles, Men’s Senior Pairs, Women’s Senior Pairs, Men’s Triples, Men’s Club Two Fours, Walker Cup, DBE Pairs, Family Pairs, Balcomb Trophy, Women’s Singles, Men’s Champion of Champions, Women’s Champion of Champions, Mixed Fours and Women’s Pairs.
Week One Report
To read the Week One Report, please click here.
Featuring Women’s Fours, Men’s Singles, Amy Rose Bowl, White Rose Trophy, Tony Allcock Trophy, Women’s Triples, Men’s Senior Fours, Men’s Pairs and Women’s Senior Singles.
Watch highlights
We were pleased to have all 18 days of the Aviva National Finals streamed online, and available for everyone to view free of charge, for the second year running. You can watch the live matches back on Bowls TV.