Spalding Indoor Bowls Club were the proud hosts of the national under-25 singles finals over the weekend – and one of their own walked away with a top trophy.
One of two Spalding competitors in action at the Castle Sports Complex event, Ruby Hill became national under-25 singles champion for the first time in her promising career.
Hill, who is no stranger to the international stage, will now go on to represent England in the British Isles Championships in October.
The other Spalding IBC hope, Jordan Philpott, was defeated in the quarter-final stage of the men’s competition.
In the last 16, Hill was up against M Linford from Acle.
Despite drawing the first set, the Spalding star dominated the second set to win the match, 1.5-0.5 and set up a quarter-final with Imogen Jenner, from Swale.
There, Hill again showed her class to win in straight sets and secure her place in the semi-finals where she would face Chloe Brett – who is the daughter of former men’s world champion Nicky – from Huntingdon.
The first set was closely contested, but the South Holland ace picked up a three on the final end to win the set 9-4.
Hill then showed her dominance and controlled the second set, winning it with an end to spare.
That moved her into the final, where fellow junior and senior international, and 2018/19 winner of the event, Devon Cooper from Hartlepool, laid in wait.
The supporters were treated to a high-quality affair but Hill was fantastic from the very first end as she won the first set with two ends to spare.
Cooper put up more of a fight in the second set as she went 6-0 up after two ends, but the home favourite was far too good as she won the set 12-6 to seal the championship match in straight sets and the title for the first time.
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club were very proud to have hosted the national event once again.
They have always prided themselves on their junior section – so to host such a prestigious event was only good for the club.
The event was well supported by the people of South Holland and beyond, with both the victorious Hill and Philpott doing the local scene proud.
