The Bowls England 2025 National Championships at Leamington came to an end with the remaining four team titles decided. Devon’s success continued as they signed off in great style by completing a county double. In the women’s Johns Trophy final they ended Yorkshire’s hopes in the semi final before cruising to a 111-65 win over Northamptonshire in the final. The double was completed by the men in the Middleton Cup. A comfortable 118-64 semi final win over Bucks was then followed by a 125-111 win over Durham’s quarter final conquerors Lincolnshire.
The men’s Top Club went to Gerrard’s Cross while the home based Royal Leamington Spa took the women’s title beating Kings 3-1. The dates for the 2026 finals are 12-30 August,
The outdoor season locally maybe ending but on the international stage there are still three major events to take place. The Bowls Europe Mixed Pairs and Under 25 Singles is being held at the Sun Bowls Club, Jersey from 11-14 September, England will be represented by the Lincolnshire duo of Annalisa Dunham & Dominic McVittie in the mixed pairs while Lancashire’s Lloyd Milligan and Dorset’s Millie Tuck will carry England’s hopes in the Under 25 event.
The British Bowls U25 series takes place at Ayr this weekend, the England squad will be led by Chloe Brett (Huntingdonshire) and Tom Holmes (Gloucestershire).
To cap off the season Club Barham in New South Wales, Australia will host the World Bowls Champion of Champions, England will be represented by the 2024 Bowls England singles champions Devon’s Jamie Walker and Worcestershire’s Izzi White.
With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games just starting to appear on the horizon Bowls England have announced a list of players on the pre-assessment programme – Nick Brett (Brampton BC, Huntingdonshire), Annalisa Dunham (Burton House BC, Lincolnshire), Sian Honnor (Appleyard BC, Kent), Emily Kernick (Royal Leamington Spa BC, Warwickshire), Dominic McVittie (Royal Mail Cart BC, Lincolnshire),Amy Pharaoh (Cleethorpes BC, Lincolnshire),Katherine Rednall (Norfolk BC, Norfolk),Nicole Rogers (Kings BC, Devon),Sam Tolchard (Kings BC, Devon),Jamie Walker (Culm Vale BC, Devon). The final team will be announced is due around 12 January 2026.
During the outdoor season the Edenvale Groundworks sponsored open pairs took place at Barnes Park. All proceeds raised during the day were donated to Marie Curie, last week a cheque for £514 was presented to the north east Marie Curie representative Karen Hill by Barnes Park’s Les Revell.
With the outdoor season coming to a close all clubs should have received the entry forms for the 2026 Silver Jacks, Burkett Shield and David Morgan Mixed Pairs. Entry sheets to be handed in at the AGM which will take place on Saturday 15 November (10am) at Houghton Dairy Lane. Any notice of motions for the AGM need to be with the Association Secretary by 15 September. There are plans to introduce a new Vet’s Knock Out Cup comprising of a three bowl pairs and a two bowl triples, ties will be played on a fixed Friday afternoon over the course of the season.
During the outdoor season the EIBA run a Summer Nationals in singles and open pairs and triples. Although entries are on the low side the qualifiers go forward to a finals weekend at Melton Mowbray on 19-21 September. Locally in the men’s singles the Vipers Paul Hartley booked a place in the last eight with a 21-14 win over Hartlepool’s Michael Laydon. At Melton Hartley will face Colchester’s Shaun Cook. In the pairs Hartley teamed up with David Bolt, a second spot at Melton was secured after a 16-14 win over Doncaster’s Andrew Walker. In the quarter finals the Viper duo was face Riverain’s Paul Maynard.
The various indoor national competition draws have been released. In the team events Durham’s Liberty Trophy campaign will see them having to travel over to Cumbria, in the Over 60’s Durham face Yorkshire, the home leg is at Stanley 12pm and the away leg at Selby 12.30pm. The women’s Atherley Trophy will see Durham face either Yorkshire or Nottinghamshire.
The Denny Cup has handed Houghton a tough tie against the South Shields Vipers, Stanley land Cumbria, Gateshead face Durham, The Park play West Denton while Hartlepool have missed the prelims and will face a local derby against Darlington.
The women’s Yetton Trophy will see Houghton take on Great Aycliffe, the Vipers have a bye but will tackle Cumbria in round one. Hartlepool play Redcar, West Denton play The Parks and Gateshead play Durham.
At Junior level, the County Under 25’s will face Yorkshire, the Under 18’s will play a group format alongside Yorkshire, Notts, Lincolnshire A & B. Hartlepool are the only local club in the Under 30 Double rink and will take on the Penrith based Eden club.
The individual indoor national competition draws have been released, here are some of the pick of the singles and pairs around the region.
Singles – J Leeman (Vipers) v Pete Thomson (Houghton), B Arkley (Stanley) v B Hopkins (Vipers), I McIntosh (Vipers) v B Poulter (Gateshead), K Jameson (West Denton) v D Bolt (Vipers), S Hanlon (H/pool) v V O’Neill (Redcar)
Pairs – G McPheators (Houghton) v B Arkley (Stanley), C Knott (West Denton) v P Hartley (Vipers), B Houghton (Stanley) v B Sanderson (Houghton), M Higgins (H/Pool) v V O’Neill (Redcar)
Cover photo credit to Bowls England