Page 10 - july 2023

Project4_Layout 1 24/05/2023 09:54 Page 1

The extra end was dramatic with Sam Runnacles playing a great shot to hold match lie with his first
wood. Neil Jolly did the same with his final wood to also hold match lay. With the last wood of the
match Sam Rrnnacles played a wide black on to another to push it in to the head to take shot and
with it a 7-6 win.
In the final, Claydon/Barking’s Emma Watling, Marilyn Cook, Clint Watling & Sam Runnacles
faced Lakeside’s David Templeton, Steve Templeton, Adam Wilson & Ian Clarke. Lakeside took early
control of the final scoring four shots on the 1st and 3rd ends, with Claydon/Barking scoring a single
in between. From there, it was a case of Claydon/Barking trying to score a big count to get back in
the game. They never managed to do so. They scored a single on the 4th end to reduce the deficit
to 8-2. Lakeside replied with a single of their own on the 5th end and a further single on the 6th to
extend their lead to an almost unassailable 10-2. A large count never looked likely on the last end;
a single was scored by Claydon/Barking to make the final score 10-3 in the favour of Champions
Lakeside. Congratulations to both teams on making the final. Special congratulations to Dave, Steve,
Adam & Ian who defended their title.
Paul Daniels

ECBA Rinks Winners David Templeton, ECBA Rinks Runners-up Sam Runnacles,
Steve Templeton, Ian Clark & Adam Clint & Emma Watling and Marilyn Cook
Wilson (Sunderland/Durham) (Suffolk/Herts)

World Short Mat Championships to Norway and Canada

The next World Championships are in Northern Ireland 2024.The World Short
Mat Bowls Council announced that the 2026 World Championships will be in
Norway and the 2028 event in Canada. Norway is also big in Carpet Bowls
and will be hosting the Short Mat event for the very first time. As will Canada
for the first time, also for the first time outside of Europe.
Most of the previous championships have been held in the UK as leaders
of our sport, with the very first event in England. Apart from the UK Belgium
has hosted the event twice and Sweden once. Yes, it is an event for the players
but it is also a showcase event to spread the word about Short Mat Bowls around the World.
I remember a discussion with the late and much missed Ronnie McDermott.
He was concerned about the cost to the players but I said at the time that there should
be a number of years to hold fund raising events. Canada has arrived earlier than anticipated
but there is time to raise funds for the players and some officials. If I am still breathing I will
be 80 for Norway and 82 for Canada and I hope still breathing and fit enough to go. If not. I
hope all goes well. Sadly. there was no apparent press release and I only found out about
this news by accident, Sad really but typical of the last 31 years of relative silence!