On Sunday, 30th July, local youngsters Chloe Holmes and Jack Vine from Norwest Bowls Club, along with Cameron Bowen from Purnells Bowls Club gathered at St Andrews Bowls Club in Weston Super Mare to join other Somerset juniors to play their annual Under 18’s Singles competition.

Unfortunately, the weather was appalling; it rained continuously all morning but, undaunted, the juniors donned their wet weather gear and ventured onto the green for the first three rounds of the competition.

By lunchtime, with our valiant bowlers literally dripping, conditions were so bad that play was abandoned outside and our players squelched indoors to enjoy some very welcome hot dogs and warming drinks.

It was decided to continue a hastily revised competition indoors, which in itself was a huge challenge as any seasoned bowler will tell you!

We have a tremendous amount of talented youth playing bowls for Somerset and it was inspiring to see their willingness to meet all the challenges the day threw at them.

While the soggy conditions defeated last years winner Chloe, her fellow Norwest club mate Jack came forth and Purnells’ Cameron, claimed the trophy along with the title of 2023 Somerset Under 18’s Singles Champion. Congratulations to all our winners: the final results were:

2023 Champion Cameron Bowen (Purnells)

Runner up Marshall Simpson (Knowle)

Third place Zach Broom (Congresbury)

Fourth place Jack Vine (Norwest)

Thanks go to St Andrews Bowls Club for their hospitality, to Avon Sportsground Maintenance Company for sponsoring the event, to Fiona Waters the umpire, Ed Hopegood the team manager, to all the supporters who came along to cheer the juniors on and, last but not least, the Juniors themselves who certainly did themselves proud.

Nora H