Press Report 31st October 2021

INTERNATIONAL BOWLS MATCH HELD AT DESBOROUGH BC

It was always hoped that when Desborough moved to Green Lane that their new facilities would attract big matches and so it happened last weekend as the Club hosted an International between England and Malaysia.

The format each day was three sessions with four matches and although England had the upper hand, both teams put on a display that was a great advertisement for our sport.Both teams were happy with our facilities and the Malaysians are considering using our Club as a training base before next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Let’s hope that this is the start of big games taking place at Desborough Bowling Club.

EGHAM TROPHY CAMPAIGN

Desborough’s Egham Trophy campaign never got off the ground as they lost 90 – 70 to Whiteknights. Although there were winning rinks skipped by Kevin Scrace and Malcolm Woodley it wasn’t enough to overcome the strong opposition.

National Finals

Desborough ladies had amazing success when they qualified for the last 32 in the country in 5 national competitions. The finals were delayed due to COVID and played at Nottingham Bowls Club in early October 2021 this year.

Helen Jones qualified in the singles and a great run through to the quarter final where she was narrowly beaten 17-21.  On her way there she beat current England international Steff Branfield.

In the triples Julie Skelly, Lorraine Woodley and Mary Price won their first game. In the last 16 they were unfortunately drawn against three current England Internationals from Spalding and lost 11-20. The Spalding  girls went right through to the final which they won 18-16.

In the Fours Julie Skelly, Helen Jones, Lorraine Woodley and Mary Price made it through to the quarter finals. En route they beat previous winners from Swale who had 4 current internationals in their team. In the quarter final our ladies lost a very hard game 14-20 to a team from Barwell containing Jamie Lee Winch. Jamie Lee was one of the Elite Commonwealth Games England squad playing at Desborough against Malaysia last weekend. Barwell went on to reach the Fours final losing 15-16 to Lorraine Kuhler’s four from Arun. Lorraine K was also playing at Desborough over the weekend in the Elite Squad.

In the Over 60 Pairs Lorraine Woodley and Mary Price won their way through to the last 16 where they lost 19-23 to a pair from South Shields Vipers who went on to win the final.

Jan Frost, Gill Jones and Mary Price as we have previously reported made their way to the Over 50 triples final in which they beat a team from North Wilts 21-12 and became National Champions.

For those who like statistics every one of the teams our girls played went on to either reach or win a National final. They should be very proud of their achievements.