Tough draws for Sarnian youngsters
JERSEY will be the centre of attention for the world of bowls over the next five days, when the best young bowlers from as far afield as New Zealand compete for the World Indoor Bowls Council Under 25 titles.
JERSEY will be the centre of attention for the world of bowls over the next five days, when the best young bowlers from as far afield as New Zealand compete for the World Indoor Bowls Council Under 25 titles. But make no mistak,e the 'junior' label attached to the event, which gets under way today at the Grainville stadium, is misleading, because several competitors have already made their mark in the senior ranks.
Canada's Ryan Bester, who is only 19, skipped Keith Roney to the world men's outdoor pairs title in Ayr in July, while Amy Monkhouse led the English women's quartet to world fours gold in Royal Leamington Spa only last month.
Jersey's own Lindsey Greechan, who won in Belfast two years ago, but slipped up on home soil last year, is relishing the chance to take on the reigning world junior champion, Claire Spreadbury, in her round robin group.
But two teenage stars from Guernsey also have their sights firmly fixed on the titles, as Lianna Bichard, who turned 19 last week, and her 18-year-old team-mate, Daniel de la Mare, go for gold.
De la Mare has been drawn in the same group as reigning champion Simon Jones, Canada's World Bowls gold medallist Ryan Bester and John Lowery from Jersey, who reached the final of the Heritage International Classic in Ireland at the weekend, along with competitors from Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man.
Meanwhile, Bichard comes up against England's world championships star Monkhouse, Scotland's Lynsey Nisbet, a regular qualifier for this event, Welsh star Hannah Evans and players from Ireland, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
'We always receive a wonderful welcome in the Channel Islands and although we are disappointed that Australia have withdrawn, we are looking forward to another successful event,' said WIBC secretary Brian Davies yesterday.
'This time, we are experimenting with a mixed pairs warm-up event for those involved in the singles and we have drawn the names out of a hat to decide who partners whom,' he added.
In the pairs, Bichard will team up with New Zealand's Jamie Hill, who was impressive in the World Indoor Championships and Welsh Masters last winter, while de la Mare partners Canada's Melissa Ranger, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
