Page 4 - Spring 2012
P. 4
British Isles 1:Layout 1 16/05/2012 09:10 Page 1
4 The
British Isles
Championships
AT LAST! ENGLAND WIN THE
TEAM TITLE AFTER AN 19 YEAR GAP!
Dumfries in Scotland was the
setting for the British Isles
Championships. Many had ar-
rived full of aspirations to
achieve the ultimate goal of a
British Isles title.
England manager Keith
Smith was taking charge in his
second year of running the Eng-
land squad and what an event it
turned out to be. The Champi-
onships are split into two parts,
individual championship events
for Singles, Pairs, Triples and
Fours and then the much cov-
eted team event in which four rinks represent each Nation.
This is called the International event, although those who compete in any of the events are
true internationals as they play all the other Nations taking part. The event was as usual spread
over a two-day weekend and Scottish President Bob Barr was very ably helped by Helen & Alex
Muirhead who operated the competition desk throughout the weekend and had the patience to
deal with everybody (and me), and a number of scorecards marked incorrectly.
The astonishment I found in compiling this re-
port was the number of cards marked wrongly. Some
cards were marked as though both teams had won
and was very confusing trying to sort out who did
what. From the photos I took I worked out who had
won and who was second but the cards did not al-
ways agree with this. Very surprising for players at
this level and perhaps clearer cards and especially
some card marking training would help?
The opening round of the team championships
saw England pitched against the Isle-of-Man and
Wales v Scotland. The most stunning game for Eng-
land came from the Rink of Chris Shakeshaft, Craig
Burgess, Jason McLean & Skip Chris Williams with
an astonishing 35 - 0 scoreline over their IOM oppo-
nents. Dominic Read’s rink won 19 - 3, Lee Toleman
19 - 4 and Danny Wiggins rink 17 - 2. These results Scottish President Bob Barr with
gave England a 90 - 9 victory and proved absolutely Provost Jack Groom bowling out
vital at the end of the weekend. the ceremonial first bowl
