Thanks to Jeanette Higham for this report.
The BCGBA Junior Ladies Merit was held once again, at Heswall Bowling Club on Saturday September 2nd 2023.
This is an excellent venue, with a tricky green and prominent crown. The makeup of the finals day is a ‘Round Robin’. There were four groups with four players and the scoring to 15 up.
In Groups One and Four we had Junior Ladies from, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Warwick & Worcester and the Isle of Man. In Groups Two and Three, it was Wales, Cheshire, Isle of Man and Burton and District.
This BCGBA Junior Ladies event might not be one many will think of to attend in the season, but you miss out on a great days’ bowling. It was nice to see parents and BCGBA Officials giving it the status it deserves and Wales were well represented by the President, Jack Hunt, Past President Simon Walker, Patron John Percy and Past BCGBA and Wales President and Management Member Peter Higham.
Cerys Parry from Gwynedd, in Group Two, and last years’ trophy winner, had two excellent wins, both 15 – 10 but had her toughest game in her final third one against Phoebe Heslop from Yorkshire who went onto win 15 – 10.
In Group Three, Jess Lacey from Esclusham BC, Wrexham, really found her stride on the green. She had single figure wins all the way. 15-7, 15-8 and 15-4.
To progress to the semi–final stage, you needed to win all three games in a group. Therefore, from Group One, Lucie Harding ( Yorkshire ) would play Group Two winner Phoebe Heslop – also from Yorkshire. Jess Lacey from Group Three was to play Poppy Fox from Group Four and another Yorkshire player. Lucie and Phoebe’s games was a close run contest with Phoebe winning 15-10 in the end. Jess carried on with her determined style of play and won 15-9 over Poppy Fox.
Although still under 18, Jess is a veteran of the bowling green, and has played for the Welsh and Ladies teams for a number of years. Cerys is also another seasoned Junior Wales player.
The final found Jess at her best form of the day on her way to the trophy. Some of the bowling was truly unbelievable and thrilling to watch, the lengths and marks played varying from long to medium, and both girls giving of their very best bowls. Jess, however, was not to be stopped and led away strongly. Despite some great bowls by Phoebe, Jess won to 15-4 and wascrowned the BCGBA Junior Ladies Champion for 2023.
This means the trophy stays in Wales for another year. It was a real treat to watch these young women play the sport and to support their futures. Jess now qualifies for the BCGBA Ladies Champion of Champions Final Day in October.
