The 2024-25 winter indoor season has drawn to a close. Many bowlers migrate to outdoor bowls (hopefully with dry sunny weather) whilst others stay bowling indoors. Finalising the indoor season is the EIBA National Championships, held at Nottingham Indoor Bowls Club, over a month long period. Overall, competitions, in various formats, take place from the beginning of October.
Many of our bowlers compete in these Championships, representing their home bowls clubs.
The first success that came to our notice was that of Steve Angus, who was runner-up in the Disability Bowls England (DBE) Classified singles. Similar to other DBE competitions, the core event is held at an earlier time of the season at another venue, with the conclusion being a focus event at the Nationals Finals.
Gary Swift and Joe Peplow partnered, once again, for the Classified Pairs meeting two past EALABA members, and current internationals Craig Bowler and John Greaves. This was a great battle with Gary and Joe losing out by 1 shot after 18 ends.
Next, we saw the Open Pairs Final between Sally Darby and World IBD Finalist Colin Wagstaff up against last years Champions Emma Prince and John Marshall. We had a ‘running commentary’ from Sally’s coach /fiance Paul Melhuish who pinged the scores to us, after nearly every end. The quality of play was fantastic, Emma and John forced a 19th end and then winning by 1 shot. This exceptional match must have been the star of the Championships, due to its high quality of bowls.
Finally, was the DBE North/South Challenge, better known as the Maggy Smith MBE Trophy. By pure chance, only bowlers from EALABA (competing in home Club colours of course) formed part of the North team, and none from the South this season. These were Rhys Taylor, Colin Wagstaff, Harry Atkin, Steven Nicholson, David Nicholson, Alex Comack, Barry Nicholson, John Rogers and Ryan Williams (playing in his first DBE event). The South retained the trophy taking 2 rinks, drawing 1 and losing 1 to Ryan, Barry and John.
Maggy Smith MBE, presented the Trophy to the winning South team, prior to herself being given an award from DBE for her hard work and commitment to the disability bowls movement.
As of the 1st January, 2025, Disability Bowls England has been incorporated into the English Indoor Bowls Association (EIBA) and Bowls England (BE). Both organisations will be running their own events programme.
Next event, EALABA National Singles Championship, 20th/21st September.
Interested in joining EALABA, contact us.