BIIBC Senior Double Rink Wales thrill home supporters Host nation claims BIIBC senior spoils for first time since 2007 at Bodelwyddan Castle
WIBA president Peter Brill with the successful Welsh team P
laying on home soil at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, Wales were crowned the
Warner Leisure Hotels BIIBC International Seniors champions after resisting a strong England comeback in a pulsating final match of the round robin event between the four home countries. Having both beaten Ireland and Scotland, the championship decider between England and Wales had the big crowd on the edge of their seats with the result still in the balance to the final bowl of the competition. Just one up going into the final end, lead Nigel Williams and then Clive Todd had the Welsh supporters on their feet when they both drew onto the jack, leaving England skip Gerry Smyth no option but to kill the end. Celebrations began when his last running bowl slipped past the head to give Wales the title for the first time since 2007. Wales gave a clear statement of intent in defeating defending champions Scotland in the first round. Skip Emlyn Williams rink dominated to beat Gerry Sullivan
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21-13, and with replacement skip Steve Hill matching Robert Grant’s top performing Scottish rink they eased to a 35-28 win. Meanwhile, debutant England skip Gerry Smyth got off to a good start, beating Ireland’s Seamus Elliman 21-16, but they had Brett Morley’s rink to thank for picking up a five on the last end to secure England’s less than convincing first round 38-33 win over Ireland.
England and Wales set up their final round clash after both won on the last end of their second round matches. England picked up a single on both rinks to beat Scotland 33-30 while, from 13-26 down after ten ends, Ireland made a spirited revival against Wales to be just three behind with one end to play. With Ireland’s Roy McCune holding a match-winning four, Emlyn Williams played the shot of the tournament with his last bowl to trail the jack for a count of two. Taking a 13-2 early lead, Wales were dominating the final match against England and looked comfortable at 22-11 up after ten
ends. But when Brett Morley’s rink took 15 shots from the last eight ends for a 19-16 win over Steve Hill, it left Emlyn Williams rink to successfully defend the one-shot lead and take the title. “That was a tremendous performance” said a jubilant and nerve-racked Welsh president Peter Brill. “There wasn’t a weakness in either rink and all players retained their composure and skill level under severe pressure. Winning the first international match of the new season gives Wales added incentive to compete well at the highest levels in the sport.”
Results
England 38–33 Ireland Wales 35–28 Scotland Scotland 30–33 England Ireland 34–39 Wales Ireland 28–36 Scotland Wales 36–32 England
On the 13th year that the championship has been held at Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, BIIBC president David Murley was equally impressed by the Welsh performance. “This is a superb weekend at what is the spiritual home of this fine championship,” he said. “Wales were the rightful winners and played consistently well in all three matches. It’s also a real boost to see the growing number of enthusiastic supporters from the four home countries, who travel to this superb bowls venue and help create such a great atmosphere for the bowlers.”
Final Standings 1 Wales
6pts (+16 shots)
2 England 4pts (+4)
3 Scotland 2pts (-2)
4 Ireland 0pts (-18)
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