Welcome to The Delivery! This is our daily feature that brings you a round-up of the action from the Aviva National Finals 2023 at Victoria Park, plus a preview for the following day.
Day 11 Round Up – Sunday 20th August
Day 11 didn’t disappoint with two fantastic finals played out the Aviva National Finals. We also saw the start of the Women’s Singles and the continuation of the Men’s Fours which started to head towards the business end.
Disability Bowls England (DBE) Pairs and Disability Bowls England (DBE) Triples
It was a proud day for Disability Bowls England with players showing that bowls is truly a sport for everyone. The Final of the DBE Pairs was shown on our live stream with spectators and viewers treated to some outstanding bowls from both sets of players. It was Peter Cave and Mike Robertson up against Mike McDonagh and Steve Stockley for the chance to be crowned Disability Bowls England Pairs champion. It was a great final played out on A green but it was Mike and Steve who just had too much for Peter and Mike. Mike McDonagh and Steve Stockley ran out 29-11 winners taking the DBE Pairs win.
Elsewhere, D green saw DBE Mixed Triples be played out showcasing the inclusivity of bowls and a very enjoyable morning for all involved. It was Harry, Ryan and Colin who took the crown home and won the DBE Mixed Triples.
Balcomb Trophy
The Balcomb Trophy was played out on a sunny Sunday here at Victoria Park. In the Semi-Final we saw Essex and Buckinghamshire play out a classic with a packed out C green who couldn’t take their eyes off the captivating match. It was back and forth between the two but in the end there could only be one winner with Essex narrowly winning 37-36. The other Semi-Final saw Cumbria face Wiltshire for a place in the Balomb Trophy Final. Those in attendance at Victoria Park were once again treated to a fantastic game of bowls with both sides producing some magic ends throughout the match. It was Cumbria who took the win with a 40-34 score line and setting up a cracker with Essex in the Final.
The heat was turned up on A green and Essex against Cumbria was on the menu for the last session of the day. Two rinks, two Counties, one trophy on offer. It was Essex with an impressive victory taking the Balcomb Trophy with a 45-36 victory.
You can view the Balcomb Trophy results here.
Women’s Singles
It was the start of the road for competitors in the Women’s Singles with Round One being played throughout Day 11. Current holder Rebecca Moorbey (Brampton BC, Huntingdonshire) sailed through to the next round with a 21-4 win over Alison Hall (Hatfield BC, Hertfordshire). Teresa Newman (Waddesdon BC, Buckinghamshire) saw off Mixed Pairs winner Rebecca Willgress (Norfolk BC, Norfolk) with an impressive 21-20 win.
Other results saw legendary Val Osmond (Henleaze BC, Gloucestershire), who was 2006 Women’s Pairs winner, go through to the next round with a 21-6 win over Kim Tavener (Moordown BC, Hampshire). Annalisa Dunham (Carters Park BC, Lincolnshire) booked her spot into the next round with a 21-9 win over Hazel Forster (Jarrow West End BC, Durham).
Round Two and Three will be played out on Day 12 of the Aviva National Finals.
You can view the Women’s Singles results here.
Men’s Fours
After Round one it was time for Round Two and Three in the Men’s Fours. It was a dominant win for John Tufts, Richard Summers, Ian Catchpole, Wayne Willgress (Norfolk BC, Norfolk) with a 22-6 victory against Lee Maloney, Richard Smith, Paul Element, Martin Coles (Mill End BC, Hertfordshire) putting them through into the next round. Lawrence Oliver, Ian Curtis, Ken Tudor, Alan Tregoning (Olveston BC, Gloucestershire) put themselves into the hat for the next round with a 16-7 win over Paul Moffitt, Steve Pomeroy, Barry Rattenbury, Paul Pomeroy (Lyme Regis BC, Dorset). It was a well fought out win for Lincolnshire’s quartet Steve Hill, Harry Mycock, Dominic McVittie, Martin Spencer (Royal Mail Cart BC) with a narrow 15-14 win over Steve Horwood, Jerry Rumball, Scott Lepley, Glenn Williams (Garston BC, Hertfordshire).
Into Round Two and Middlesex and Norfolk played out a cracker on B green, with the crowd adding to the spectacle with an outstanding atmosphere in the stands. It was a close match throughout coming down to the last couple of ends to decide the winner. There was mix of emotions from the travelling supports with both sets cheering on their County to win. It was the Men from Middlesex Luke Mann, Joe Lovett, Mark Smith, Matt Larman (Ashford BC) who managed to get the win over the line with a 22 – 19 victory over John Tufts, Richard Summers, Ian Catchpole, Wayne Willgress (Norfolk BC, Norfolk). Other results saw Kenny Muir, Willy McGinn, Alan Muir, Alistair Melville (Corby Forest BC, Northamptonshire) sail through with an impressive 22-12 win over Lawrence Oliver, Ian Curtis, Ken Tudor, Alan Tregoning (Olveston BC, Gloucestershire). Michael Gomme, Tim Godman, Matthew Hyde, Andrew Briden (Gerrards Cross BC, Buckinghamshire) continued their journey with a 15-12 win over Nick Best, Dan Winmill, Simon Barnard, James Amery (Taunton Vivary BC, Somerset).
The Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals of the Men’s Fours will be played out on Day 12.
For all results in the Men’s Senior Pairs, please click here.
Day Eleven Preview – Sunday 20th
Into the final week of our National Finals and what a week we have on offer. Ahead of us tomorrow will be the Women’s Singles and Men’s Fours as rounds progress ahead of the finals on Tuesday. But who will make the finals and battle it out for glory at the Aviva National Finals? More fours is also on the menu with the Men’s and Women’s Senior Fours competitions getting underway at Victoria Park. It promises to be an exciting day here in Royal Leamington Spa, don’t miss out and buy your tickets online for discounted tickets. Or you can purchase on the gate.
You can watch Men’s Fours and Women’s Singles tomorrow over at bowlsengland.com/bowlstv.
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