Herefordshire’s First Ever National Champions
Herefordshire’s recent record of gradual improvement in performances at the National
Championships has culminated in a national title being brought back to the county.
The 2020 National Mixed Fours championship at Solihull was won by Kate Williams (Ross),
Shirley Cox, John Mills (Woolhope) and Joe Loveys (Gorsley Chapel). Three of the
four had equalled the county’s best ever showing at the Nationals by reaching the
semi-finals of this discipline in 2018 but they went all the way this time. The Herefordshire
four dominated their qualifying group, winning all 3 games to top the group and progress
to the knockout stages which would prove to be tense and exciting throughout. Their
first 3 knockout rounds all resulted in tied matches which had to be decided by an
extra end. First up was Cheshire who almost ended the run before it had begun - leading
Herefordshire by 3 shots going into the last end before a 3 from Herefordshire forced
the extra end which they won. The situation was reversed in the next round as Herefordshire
conceded a 3 to Dorset in the final end before again winning the extra end. Herefordshire
once again came from behind against a Hampshire team in the quarter finals to force
the extra end and match their previous run to the semi-finals. Trailing again going
into the last end in the semi-final against an Avon four, Herefordshire held their
nerve and scored 4 to win the game by a single shot and secure their place in the
final. They started the final against the North Yorkshire team slowly and trailed
7-3 after 5 ends but the match was turned on its head by Herefordshire scoring a
magnificent 7 in the 6th end to take a lead which they never surrendered, seeing
the game out with a 12-10 victory to secure the county’s historic first ever national
title.
Success for John Mills in ESMBA Open Pairs
Congratulations to John Mills who, together with his partner, Devon player Eric Pavey,
won the plate competition at the 2019 ESMBA Open Pairs competition. They defeated
the Norfolk pair of Simon Willies and Melvin Woods in the final.
Herefordshire Win in 2019 Kingsway Triples
The Herefordshire team of Nic Lloyd (Fownhope), Dominic Rogers (Woolhope) and Ian
Park (Ross) enjoyed a successful trip into Gloucestershire, winning all 5 of their
matches to win the Kingsway Triples (formerly the Hardwicke Triples) tournament at
Waterwells Sports Centre. The tournament raised £1,000 for the Cheltenham Oncology
Unit.
Herefordshire Players Represent England In British Isles Championships
Becci Cox and John Mills, both of Woolhope SMBC, represented England for the first
time in the 2018 British Isles Championships held in Cardiff. Playing in the England
‘A’ squad Becci played in the Triples discipline where, although all 3 matches ended
in defeat, two of these, against Wales & Scotland, went down to last end deciders.
John played in a successful Fours team who finished runners-up to Ireland by a single
shot in their competition after finishing level on points.
Other Herefordshire players representing England in the current season are Kate Williams
(Ross) who is in the England Ladies squad and Dominic Rogers (Woolhope) in the England
Under 21 squad.
Good Showing in 2018 TLH National Club Championships for Herefordshire Teams
Following on from the county’s best ever showing in the National Championships there
was further evidence of the county’s increasing ability to compete at a national
level when two of the county’s club teams put in their best ever performances in
the National Club Championships. Woolhope and Ross each had a team in the 16 club
finals held in Torquay and both teams competed in round robin groups with some of
the country’s top club teams, most of them boasting several England team players.
Despite some satisfying victories neither team managed to qualify for the main knockout
competition and both entered the plate competition. After wins in the quarter finals
the two teams met at the semi-final stage and, in a reversal of this season’s general
fortunes, county league and cup winners Woolhope found their rivals in good form
and Ross won all disciplines to progress to the plate final. The final proved to
be a tight affair against Kingscliffe from Somerset but, despite winning 2 of the
4 disciplines, Ross were squeezed out by a mere 2 shots overall in a thrilling finale.
Both teams had just cause to be well satisfied with their weekend’s bowling.
Best Ever National Championships for Herefordshire
The 2018 National Championships proved to be the best ever for the county. The Mixed
Four of Joe Loveys (Gorsley Chapel), John Mills, Shirley & Becci Cox (Woolhope) started
the ball rolling with the county’s first appearance in a semi-final since 2003 when
Pam & Neil Kellett, in the Pairs, had been the first county bowlers to reach that
stage. Success then followed like the proverbial buses and John Mills and Shaun Jones
(Ross) repeated the feat in the Pairs later that week.
Finally, Mark Cinderey (Llangarron),
David Millington Jones, Phil & Anthony Rogers (Woolhope) reached the quarter-finals
of the Fours with Kate Williams (Ross), John Mills, Shirley & Becci Cox also qualifying
from their round robin group before falling in the round of 32. Congratulations to
all of these bowlers as well as those who represented the county but failed to qualify
from their round robin groups, some of them missing out by very narrow margins.
Inaugural Woolhope Charity Fours a Huge Success
The first Woolhope Charity Fours, held at Leominster IBC in September 2017 was a
huge success with 24 teams from England and Wales entering and a huge £1,500 raised
for St Michael’s Hospice. Money was raised from entries, donations, a cake sale,
silent auction and raffles and the cheque was presented by club members to Paddy
Nugent, the hospice’s Community Fundraising Manager.
More Herefordshire Success in Gloucester Open Fours
April 2017
The Ross team of Elaine George, Pam Park, Dave Watkins and Les Williams brought the
Gloucester Open Charity Fours trophy back to Herefordshire for the third time in
four years following successes by Woolhope teams in 2014 and 2015. Winning three
of their four group games to finish top of their half of the draw the Ross team completed
their victory with a win in the final
County Sports Award for Sue Stannard
February 2017
A stalwart of the county game was recognised at the recent Herefordshire Sports Awards.
Sue Stannard, a member of the Fownhope club since 1997, was Highly Commended in the
Services to Sport category of the awards which were presented in a ceremony at Hereford
Shire Hall. Sue has played club and county bowls for many years and served for 6
years on the Fownhope committee and she is familiar to players around the county
in her role as County Secretary, a post she has held since the formation of the county
association in 1999. Not only has she fulfilled that demanding office, but for the
majority of that period she has also been County Membership Secretary. She has also
regularly helped other committee members run the county competitions and organise
other events, most notably the annual Macmillan Cancer Support charity tournament
which Sue has been involved with since its inception and which has raised well in
excess of £25,000 for the charity. This award is well-deserved recognition of her
invaluable contribution to short mat bowls in Herefordshire.
Photo: Sue being presented with her award by Halo CEO Stuart Rolfe
Premier Team Rinks Success
September 2016
The county Premier team qualified for the finals of the 2016-17 ICC Rinks competition
by winning their qualifying group. After defeating Surrey convincingly by 46 shots
to 30 they then had a very close match with Essex which, after a very tense climax,
was drawn 46 shots each. Surrey then beat Essex to see Herefordshire claim top spot
in the group and progress to the finals in January.
Short Mat Bowling Comes to the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoats School
July 2016
More than 120 pupils from the Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoats School were given an
introduction to short mat bowls as part of the school’s end of term enrichment programme.
The sessions were facilitated by HSMBA volunteers, including Dominic Rogers, a year
8 pupil at the school who is also a member of the England Under-21 squad. The association
and its members provided the equipment for the 3 days of sessions and the main school
hall was an ideal short mat bowls venue, comfortably accommodating 4 mats on what
proved to be an excellent floor. The inclusion of short mat bowls in the programme
of activities was the brainchild of HSMBA member Mark Cinderey, a teacher at the
school.
Photo: 4 of the HSMBA volunteer facilitators: Ian Roe, Merion Attwood, Becci Cox
& Fran Jones
Herefordshire Reach ICC Premier Consolation Final
The Herefordshire county team played in their first ever final at Premier level when
they contested the Inter County Championship Premier Consolation Final against Northamptonshire
at Daventry Indoor Bowling Centre. A comprehensive 28-12 semi-final win over Wiltshire
at the same venue had brought them through to the final against a highly rated Northants
side but the Herefordshire team put in a highly creditable performance, finally slipping
to a 23-17 defeat. The Northants victory was underpinned by their two singles players,
both experienced internationals with national championships titles to their names,
who took all 10 points in the Singles discipline. Herefordshire more than held their
own in the rest of the match, winning the Pairs 7-3 and the Triples 6-4. Although
the Fours shared their matches they lost the shots bonus to go down 4-6.
Herefordshire Players Selected in England Squads
Congratulations to the Herefordshire bowlers who have been successful in winning
places in England squads for the 2015-16 season.
Becci & Shirley Cox (Woolhope SMBC), Charlotte Kite (Lea SMBC) and Kate Williams
(Ross BC) have all been selected to represent England Ladies in the coming season
and Becci Cox has also been appointed as vice-captain of the team.
Joseph Loveys (Gorsley Chapel SMBC), Luke Rawlings (Larruperz SMBC), Dominic Rogers
(Woolhope SMBC) and Kate Williams (Ross BC) have all been selected to join the England
Under-21 squad.
Woolhope team wins Gloucestershire Charity Open Fours Event
Congratulations to Rod Dawson, John Mills, Shirley & Becci Cox of Woolhope SMBC on
their success in the Gloucestershire Charity Open Fours event held at Mid Glos Indoor
Bowls Centre on 19th April 2015. Woolhope were the only team to win all 5 of their
games and their success meant they retained the trophy within the club following
last year’s success, albeit by a completely different team from the club.
Herefordshire Umpire Richard Bemand Awarded International Umpire Badge
Congratulations are due to our county umpire, Richard Bemand (Gorsley Chapel SMBC),
who has recently been awarded his international umpiring badge. Richard works extremely
hard within the county, umpiring all of the county’s championship tournaments as
well as home matches in the inter-county championship for both the Premier and A
teams. Add to this the numerous other competitions and charity tournaments which
Richard provides his services for and it is clear that this award is well earned
recognition of his dedication and progression as an umpire. The photo shows Richard
being presented with his badge by ESMBA Chairman Barry Hedges
Herefordshire Youngsters Represent England Under-21’s
5 young Herefordshire short mat bowlers represented England Under-21’s in an international
match last week against Wales in Carmarthen. Kate Williams (Lea SMBC), who captained
the England team on the day, was joined by Cameron Johnson (Fownhope SMBC), Matthew
Kite (Lea SMBC), Joseph Loveys (Gorsley Chapel SMBC) and Luke Rawlings (Larruperz
SMBC). Brian Claessen, the England Under-21’s manager, was pleased with his team’s
performance, despite the strong Wales team winning the match by a 38-18 point margin,
and he paid tribute to the Wales Short Mat Bowling Association for their excellent
organisation of the day.
Woolhope team wins Gloucestershire Charity Open Fours Event
Congratulations to David Millington-Jones, Ian Park, Fred Jolley and Anthony Rogers
of Woolhope SMBC on their success in the Gloucestershire Charity Open Fours event
held at Mid Glos Indoor Bowls Centre on 12th April 2014. Woolhope were one of only
two teams to win all 5 of their games, edging out the Essex team of East Hanningfield
on ends won. Herefordshire were also represented by teams from Fownhope, Gorsley
Chapel, Llangarron and Ross.
Luke Rawlings Reaches Final of Woodbridge Trophy at 2014 Nationals
Luke Rawlings (Larruperz SMBC, pictured second from right) is seen receiving his
runners-up medal in the Woodbridge Trophy, the Under-18’s plate competition, at the
2014 National Short Mat Championships. Luke came up against more experienced bowlers
in his round robin group but advanced to the plate competition where he really hit
form, advancing through the knockout rounds and winning his semi-final by a single
shot. Despite losing in the final to Nathan Bailey of the West Midlands Luke can
be proud of his fine performance.
Four Herefordshire Youngsters in England Under-21 Squad
Four Herefordshire players have been included in the England Under-21 squad for the
2013-14 season. Kate Williams (Lea), Joseph Loveys (Gorsley Chapel), Luke Rawlings
(Larruperz) and Cameron Johnson (Fownhope) are all part of the squad which is playing
warm-up matches ahead of an international with Wales later in the season. Pictured
L to R: Luke, Kate, Cameron & Joseph
Brian Claessen Appointed England Under-21 Manager
Congratulations to Brian Claessen of Lea Short Mat Bowling Club on being appointed
as manager of the England Under-21 short mat bowling squad. This prestigious appointment
recognises the valuable work that Brian has done in encouraging younger bowlers into
the sport, including the recent establishment of a junior competition within Herefordshire.
Macmillan Trophy Junior Winner Again - Joseph Loveys
10 November 2012
Joseph Loveys has done it again! He was the top Junior bowler in the Macmillan Competition
this year for the third time. He was the winner in 2009, 2011, 2012 and runner up
in 2010. Joseph is a very keen bowler and responded well to coaching this summer
which has really improved his game. He is very dedicated to doing well, encouraged
by his grandfather Derek Wadley and the Gorsley Chapel club.
