The EIBA National Championship Finals are held at Nottingham Indoor Bowls Club from 23rd March to 15th April. This year a number of EALABA players took part in Disability Bowls England competitions.
First came the DBE Champion of Champions semi-final and final. All combatants are DBE Champions in their own right. EALABA’s Steve Angus (B7) vs Joe Peplow (B6) and Chris Gray (Unclassified) vs Anthony Page (B8) (now an EALABA member). Both matches were tight and so was the final between Joe and Anthony, the later becoming Champion of Champions. Welcome to EALABA, Anthony.
Next, came the Classified Pairs Final and the Plate Final. Both finals were hotly contested. From a 9-1 deficit Keiran Rollings & Jack Pullin fought back to beat Craig Bowler and Steve Ireland (EALABA) on the last end of the Plate. Echo’s of this match saw Chris Gray (EALABA) & Daniel Adams lose on the last end to the battling EALABA pairing of Colin Wagstaff and John Greaves.
The last event was the Maggie Smith MBE North vs South Challenge Sheild. Representing EALABA were Paul Baker, Bob Love, John Greaves, Gary Swift (North Captain), Stevie Angus, Colin Wagstaff, Rhys Taylor, John Rogers, Harry Atkin all playing for the North plus Chris Gray and Steve Ireland representing the South. All in all, 11 of the 24 players were EALABA members. Play was strong over all 6 rinks, a very high standard of bowls, replicating the high standard of the National Finals.
The end result produced a win for the North, repeating their 2022 victory. Victorious by 69 shots to 54. A huge thank you goes to Maggie Smith MBE, Carol Eichen, EIBA President and inclusive Championship hosts Nottingham Indoor Bowls Club. Another brilliant showcase of the best of indoor bowls in England. See you all in 2024.