It was a gloriously sunny day at the Benllech Bowling Club, for the home leg of today’s Junior County Match, with both teams showing no changes to the programme.

With a bumper crowd and the three match Referee’s in place ( D T Evans – Arthur Peake and Allan Davies), Welsh CGBA President Jack Hunt, took to the microphone to welcome special guests Martin Goddard (and his wife), the current President of the British CGBA and Shropshire President Mick Jones, the Welsh and the Shropshire CGBA Management Officials, the two squads of players and the parents, relations and supporters who were attending the match.

The first four home matches saw Wales going 3/1 up and plus 27 on the aggregate.

Whilst at Meole Brace, Wales shared the games 2/2, but were – 8 on the aggregate.

The next four jacks saw, the Welsh home team, losing the matches 1/3 and – 15 on the aggregate

At Meole Brace the middle four won their games 3/1 and + 4 on the aggregate.

So still all to play for.

The last four at Benllech saw the team winning the marches 3/1 and + 13 on the aggregate.

At Benllech it finished 7/5 in games to Wales and + 25 on the aggregate 222 – 197.

So all now on the last four at Meole Brace.

The Away Welsh team losing the matches 1/3 and the aggregate by – 19.

So it finished at Meole Brace 6/6 in matches and + 22 for Shropshire 231 – 209

So overall:

Wales – 431

Shropshire – 428

Meaning a fantastic 3 point win for the Welsh Teams overall.

And not to single any one player out especially, but I must mention the very young and extremely inexperienced Abbie Bennett (daughter of Robin Bennett I believe), who came into the Welsh Away team, at the 11th hour, to play the experienced Shropshire Bowler Harry Wilson, at Number 12, when the game looked like it may have to be forfeited. Yes she did her best and lost 6/21, but in reality those “6 points”, won Wales the match. So very well done to Abbie, for having the courage to step on the green at Meole Brace today and play.

After the match at Benllech, Welsh President made the thank you speaches. He thanked:

The British CGBA President – Martin Goddard (and his lovely wife), for attending today’s match.

The Benllech Bowling Club for the preparation of a fantastic Green and for the use of the Club’s facilities

The Benllech members who served the refreshments throughout the afternoon

The three Referee’s – D T Evans – Arthur Peake and Allan Davies

The four Welsh Junior Team Mangers – Home – James Northrop and Gari Williams Away – Peter Griffiths and Geoff Pugh.

Duscia Price and Judy Hughes for running the Match Day Raffle, which raised £91.

The other Welsh CGBA Management Officials who had attended both the Home and Away matches.

Pauline Lindley for preparing the Match Day Programmes

And, for all the work I’d done both today and in the past for the Welsh CGBA

Both sets of players who had played the games today in a true sporting manner

And finally to all the supporters for attending, which included many parents and relations from both teams.

The Player of the Match Trophies were then presented to:

Wales – Jamie Evans

Shropshire – Harry Brooks.

We then moved off to the Breeze Hill Hotel, for a few refreshing drinks, a friendly chat and a very welcome Buffet, which not only catered for the Players and Officials, but also for the many parents and supporters who were also there.

Well played both the Wales and Shropshire home and away teams, for giving everyone a bowling day to remember.

The Welsh Team at Benllech: