Barry Athletic chase perfect season after sealing Munro Cup with two games left

Finish the season with a perfect record. That’s the aim for Barry Athletic’s Munro Cup-winning team.

Having clinched the South Vale Bowling Association trophy with two matches to spare, after winning their first 15 fixtures, the target now is victories in the last two, says vice-captain Nicola Clarke-Squires.

Athletic held off the challenge of holders Romilly, who finished the season on 183 points from their 17 matches, two points behind the new champions. “Romilly are probably our biggest rivals,” said Nicola. “At the beginning of the season we played them here and won, and that started us off on a good run.”

Despite having already secured the trophy, Athletic have to play their remaining games. “We are totally unbeaten at the moment. We’ve won it, but the ultimate goal is to stay unbeaten. That’s the motivation for the final two games.

“Our team is very close, with good banter on the green. If you are enjoying it you have fun, and that reflects on the bowls,” said Nicola. I’ve always thought if you’ve got positive vibes on your rink you play better. Obviously, positions are important, but it’s nice as well if you get on with the people you are playing with.”

A total of 21 players have figured in matches, which involve four rinks of triples, with 16 making most of the appearances, and five playing the occasional match when needed.

Squad: Jude Howell, Scott Howell, Mark Ellis, Gwynfor Parr, Jack Killin, Nigel Leigh, Peter Rogers, Dave Townsend, Nicola Clarke-Squires, Mick Edwards, Rob Morris, Russell Harris, Martin Clarke-Squires, Mark Rhys, Geoff Whittaker, Nina Ray, Kevin Brookes, Phil Killin, Wendy Edwards, Craig Mullins, Dean Collins.

*Nicola will be in action at the Glamorgan County Bowls Association Championship finals at Kenfig Hill and Pyle on Friday, in the four-wood singles in the morning, and then linking up with Jude Howell and Carmen Brookes in the triples in the afternoon. Opponents from Penylan will be faced in both.

Barry Athletic’s club Finals Day takes place on Sunday, and “it would be nice if we can bring back a county trophy. Getting county titles would be brilliant,” said Nicola.