LBIOM

The Manx contingent travelled to Guernsey for the 12th European Bowls Union Team Championships earlier this month. Prior to the competition the team, Janice Pilling, Bernice McGreal, Clive McGreal and Mark McGreal were joined by Win and John Kewley, all of who undertook coaching and upiring courses which were put on by Bowls Guernsey in conjunction with Bowls Scotland. As a result, we are proud to say we now have three further level one qualified coaches and three national standard umpires, which will go towards being able to grow and develop the sport locally, not only that at the highest level but primarily grass roots.

As what has become the norm in this team event, the team competed in a men’s and ladies pairs competition and came together to play mixed fours. Overall, the event was a huge success for the Manx team, who recorded across the board the best performance we have ever had in the event. They even caused some major upsets along the way!

In this year’s competion the different disciplines were spread out over separate days, which give the team an opportunity to gain some consistancy rather than chopping and changing all the time. Our ladies pair finished 12th having recorded results against Switzerland, Ireland, France and the hosts Guernsey. The men’s pair finished 6th, having had the silver medal in their sights at one point, having convincingly beaten Ireland, Israel and Cyprus, whilst drawing against Sweden and Guernsey. The fours is where the team really caused some upsets, given we are a ‘minnow’ nation, that doesn’t really get the oportunity to play fours, the team recorded results against Jersey, Sweden, Wales, Guernsey, Spain and the biggest coo of all, a demolishion of England, a team that included County, National and World Champions! The team finished 9th in the fours table and 10th in the overall team table.

See individual reports on our Facebook page, and there has been a report published in the Courier Newspaper