Clarke‑Squires leads Barry Athletic to double county finals despite national setbacks

There were mixed fortunes for Barry Athletic in the Glamorgan County Bowls Association Championship semi-finals at Kenfig Hill and Pyle, with members securing two final spots, but missing out on two.

Nicola-Clarke Squires will be competing in both finals, having clinched a narrow 21-19 victory over Gwen Lewis (Penylan) in the 4-wood semi-final, and then teaming up with Jude Howell and Carmen Brookes to beat Whitchurch 22-11 in the triples. Opponents from Penylan will be faced in both finals.

But Athletic’s rink went down 16-13 to Penylan, and the Super 60s Double Triples team were beaten 33-27 by Rhiwbina. The finals, at Kenfig Hill and Pyle, will be played on August 28.

Four days earlier (August 24) Jude Howell will be in action for Glamorgan County over-55s when they take on South Wales and Monmouthshire in the final of the Savegar Cup, the national Ladies’ county championship, at Llandrindod Wells. Glamorgan won three games on the way to the final.

There was double disappointment for Barry Athletic in the National Finals at Llandrindod Wells. The Senior Fours rink of Peter Rogers, Dean Collins, Scott Howell and Dave Townsend beat Lampeter in the last 16, but then were well beaten by Penylan in the quarter-final.

In the Mixed Singles Mark Ellis, making his National Finals debut, went down 21-18 to Porthcawl’s Shane Hill. Ellis staged a brave fightback after trailing 18-11, but it wasn’t quite enough.

On Sunday Barry Athletic staged the Mary Thomas Memorial Trophy ladies’ triples, the team from Millwood (Christine Pullen, Sian Neale, Ann Warren) beating the hosts (Ceri Allsup, Lianne Mullins, Jude Howell) 7-6 in the final, clinching victory with two shots on the last end.

Twelve teams took part, five from the host club, five from Penarth Windsor, and two from Millwood. Each team played four games, with four teams recording three wins, and the finalists securing their places on shot difference.

The competition was staged for the second year after the rose bowl was rediscovered in a trophy cabinet a year ago by Mary Thomas’daughter Gill, who presented it to the winning team.