Having defeated Devon in the quarter-finals of the John’s Trophy, Marcia Hartley and Georgie Newman from Avon together with Debbie Shadwell and Jean Collier from Box, headed for the home of lawn green bowling, Leamington Spa, where they were part of the Wiltshire team up against a strong Yorkshire group in the semi-final.
Dawn Edwards, president of Bowls Wiltshire Ladies and chairman of Avon Bowls Club, was a delighted spectator, together with a coach load of supporters who had travelled to Leamington as the Wiltshire team successfully dispatched Yorkshire by 129-79, winning four out of the six games, one being the Avon/Box ladies with a score of 19-11, a fairly close run affair. As Yorkshire had won their quarter-final against Nottinghamshire with a thundering 150 points to 61, Wiltshire ladies were justified in being pleased with the result.
Meanwhile, Surrey managed to beat Northamptonshire in a hard-fought battle by 117-110, which was followed by the final against Wiltshire in the afternoon, the first time the county had reached the final since their success in 1995.
Sadly, the previous victory was not to be repeated on this occasion as although Wiltshire won on 3 of the six rinks, Surrey were the overall winners by 125-109. The Avon/Box team were defeated by 35 points to 9, but congratulations from all Avon Club members to the Wiltshire team in general, and to Marcia and Georgie in particular for their achievement throughout the competition.
Pauline Baker, Press
Officer, Avon Bowls Club
