The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Four players from Holbeach’s Carter’s Park bowls team are celebrating a memorable victory at the Bowls England National finals.
Louise Whyers, Pearl Flowers (sub for Helen Butler), Penny Strong and Annalisa Dunham were representing Lincolnshire at the Royal Leamington Spa event – and lifted the women’s fours trophy after winning 20-14 against Oxfordshire’s Donna Knight, Carol Gaskins, Katherine Hawes and Lorraine Kuhler.
Winning the title means that the Carter’s Park foursome will now represent England in the British Isles Championships next year.
Speaking on behalf of the team, a delighted Dunham said: “I’m so proud of my team and what we have achieved.
“It’s tough to qualify to the national finals through such a strong county, so I am over the moon that we were able to go and win the whole thing.
“A special mention to our super sub Pearl, whose late husband Ron Flowers was an amazing bowler. I’m sure he was looking down on us.”
The South Holland quartet made the better start in the final, leading 8-3 after seven ends.
Oxfordshire hit back though with a handy four shots and brought the scoreline back to 9-8 to Lincolnshire at ten ends.
However, a superb six on the following end for Whyers, Flowers, Strong and Dunham put them in a healthy position in the match.
Despite another four for the Oxfordshire quartet, Lincolnshire managed the remainder of the match brilliantly to seal the victory.
It was a particurlarly great moment for Flowers, who came into the Lincolnshire four to sub for Butler who couldn’t partake in the semi-final and final.
In the earlier semi-finals, both finalists enjoyed big victories.
Lincolnshire led their semi-final match all the way against Kirsty Rowe, Amy Rowe, Tracey Johnson and Joanne Rowe (Suffolk).
Suffolk were contained by Lincolnshire during the course of the match and a six for Lincs proved crucial in claiming a 24-10 triumph.
Oxfordshire found themselves behind against Cumbria’s Dorothy Westwood, Angela Hayton, Pauline Hodgson and Karen Westwood at 5-4 after five ends.
Tremendous scoring in the last eight ends saw them surge ahead of Cumbria. Two fives and a four helped the Oxfordshire four seal a 26-12 win.
