THE BIBC Championships and International Series was held at Llandrindod BC last weekend with Wales missing out on the series by one shot to England.

The intensely fought match took place on Sunday morning with Wales up all through the game only to lose 110-111 on the second last bowl of the series.

Earlier in the week Dale Gorman, David Weale and Robert Weale were the representatives from Wales in the BIBC triples losing to Jersey 16-19.

Jon Tomlinson from RTB Ebbw Vale lost in the final of the singles 13-21 to Martin McHugh from North Ireland and Jordan Davies from Harlequins BC Aberdare lost to Andy O’Keefe from Northern Ireland 20-21 in the Under 25 singles competition.

In the over 60’s rink four players from Plasgrug BC Aberystwyth skipped by David James won their first game 20-10 against a rink from Scotland, but lost their semi-final to England 22-10.

In the International series Wales played Northern Ireland first and had four winning rinks with the score of 135-112 shots. Next up was Scotland, which Wales won in a very close battle by 109-107.

Then onto England on Sunday morning with the winner takes all – England having won both their games on the Saturday.

Wales started off well and were 20 shots up at 15 ends. England were always going to fight back in defence of their title won in Hamilton, Scotland in 2015. So it came down to the very last end when England skip Robert Newman drove out the Welsh shot bowl to count 1 shot and win the match by 1 shot and the overall series. Selected for the Welsh team Robert Weale from Presteigne BC and Luke Harwood from Llandrindod Wells BC.

This was a very disappointing result for Welsh President Robert Williams of Hay on Wye BC and equally disappointing for 2016 BIBC President Eddie Williams of Llandrindod Wells BC who was poised to proudly present the silver salver to Robert in his home club, county and country, a unique occasion in the bowling world.

Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club and its’ members did everything possible to make the championships one of the most successful ever to have been staged. Congratulations were expressed by President Eddie in his closing speech to the organisers, club members, players, umpires and dignitaries.