National Finals Review - Leamington Spa

Gracie Patient teamed up with Evie Mills (Braintree) to take on Cambs and suffered an agonising 15-16 defeat - a great showing from Gracie on her Nationals debut!

Edward Morris looked to regain his title from 2018 and started excellently with a 17-6 win against Vinnie O'Neill (Yorks). However Jordan Philpott proved too much in the 2nd round, a 9-14 loss.

Congrats to Club members Jack Butcher, Ray Bone, Steve Gunnell & Edward Morris on reaching the final with the Essex team, sadly losing out to Leicestershire

Allan Eldridge took to the greens as Essex champion and won his first round match 21-15 against Dylan Butt (Beds) but unfortunately lost narrowly in the second round, 16-21 to Will Vizer-Allen (Surrey)

Laura Robinson, Elaine Score & Emma Chapman had a very creditable run to the Quarter-Final of this competition - Rd 1 16-15 v Berkshire, Rd 2 20-10 v Cambs, Rd 3 17-12 v Worcs, before finally succumbing to eventual winners from Lincs 14-18 - well done!

Richard Spriggs, Barry Stone, Nigel Smith & David Dar showed their intent with a victory of 24-6 over Hertfordshire, however narrowly missed out in the following round, 16-17 against Hampshire.

Steve Gunnell & Edward Morris maneuvered their way through an always-tough field all the way to the final, but as they found in 2023 too, fell at the final hurdle - a fantastic tournament nonetheless, taking out many national champions along the way:

Rd 1 - 12-11 Derbyshire

Rd 2 - 16-11 Suffolk

Rd 3 - 23-14 Kent

QF - 15-14 Oxfordshire

SF - 19-9 Devon

Final - 11-15 Devon

The last 2 games (as well as Edward's Champion of Champions Singles final - see below) can be rewatched on https://bowlstv.bowlsengland.com/

Edward Morris looking for a third title in this event laid down an opening round marker 21-6 against Lee Young (Oxfordshire) but came up against an in-form Glen Adams (Middlesex) in the second round - in a very high quality game that swung back and forth he ultimately perished 20-21.

Essex County qualified for this event for the first time since 2013, however due to holiday and a schedule clash were without their 2 usual singles players. Those who filled in gave it their best but we found ourselves 0-2 down against a young side from Cheltenham, yet somehow we rose from a bleak position to win the Pairs and Triples by plenty, with the tie coming down to the Fours. We entered the last end level and unfortunately dropped 1 shot to lose the whole fixture 2-3, by 1 shot - a truly fantastic effort given the circumstances, well done to all involved.

Edward Morris qualified in this event for the first time in many years and was looking to add a new title to his collection.

Indeed this is exactly what happened, with 3 great performances against top quality opponents:

QF - 21-10 v Shaun Jones (Herefordshire)

SF - 21-16 v Chris Beard (Bedfordshire)

F - 21-7 v Chris Hanslip (Lincolnshire)

Edward noted that it was his first National Title in Club colours and was cheered on rinkside by his compatriots from the defeated Top Club team - CONGRATULATIONS to Edward

 

Well done to all who played a part in the above, another great season for the Club!