A host of Spalding Indoor Bowls Club players helped England to a record-breaking seventh win of the spin in the Men’s International Series.
Spalding’s Graham Smith, Mark Dawes and Matt Whyers retained their places in the squad for the Belfast event, while Stephen Harris was called-up as a new cap and Dominic McVittie was travelling reserve.
The series started well for England with comfortable wins against Wales (129-97) and Ireland (139-83).
With Scotland also beating Ireland and Wales, it set up a series decider between the two auld enemies.
In a highly anticipated contest with no fewer than 11 of the world top 16 taking part, England showed their class from the outset and ran out comfortable 131-94 winners.
That ensured that England lifted the Hilton Trophy for the 41st time since the annual series first took place back in 1936.
p Spalding IBC were well represented at the British Isles Championships, which were also held in Belfast.
After winning the English national title in October 2021, Harris and Smith were England’s representatives in the men’s pairs, while Ruby Hill, Chelsea Spencer and Annie Dunham were in the ladies’ triples.
Hill was also in the junior singles for what proved to be another great few days for the club.
Harris and Smith beat a Channel Islands duo 28-8 before seeing off Welsh brothers Mark and David Harding 16-10 in the last four.
The final pitted them against Scott Kennedy and Billy Mellors (Scotland), who they defeated to claim the British Isles pairs title.
For the ladies, Hill lost in the ladies’ junior singles quarter finals against Lowri Powell (Wales).
But she fared much better as she joined Spencer and Dunham in the triples.
The Spalding trio defeated Scotland 19-10 and Wales 17-6 to book a final against Ireland.
There, they raced into a 10-0 lead before eventually prevailing 14-11 to lift the British Isles triples title.
p The Ladies’ International Series opened up the start of the international week at Belfast.
Once again, Spalding were represented by Hill, Spencer and Dunham in the England team.
The first day saw mixed emotions for England as they beat Ireland 144-80, but lost to Scotland 112-128.
That meant England needed to beat Wales and hope Ireland could beat Scotland to take the title.
But, although England romped to a 150-90 win, Scotland crushed Ireland 147-79 to secure the title for the first time since 2017.
p This season has seen the World Bowls Tour reintroduce Ladies’ World Matchplay qualifying – with Dunham, Hill and Spencer all in attendance at the Huntingdon IBC hosted event.
Hill and Dunham both safely negotiated their first round matches, where they were then joined by Spencer who had received a bye into the last 16.
There, Hill and Dunham were drawn against each other, with the latter winning a close match 2-1 on a tie break.
Spencer, meanwhile, progressed against Gillian Hinsley to join her team-mate in the quarter-finals.
Dunham’s journey ended there as she was defeated by Nicole Rogers (Devon) on a tie-break, but Spencer beat Jorja Jackson (Huntingdon) before then seeing off Nottingham’s Jacqueline Henderson to reach the final.
She met Rogers in the final, though, and was defeated 7-4, 8-6 in straight sets.
p Spalding IBC started their mixed top club campaign with a comfortable first round home win against Peterborough.
Spalding are no strangers to success in this competition as they have been national champions twice, in 2015 and 2021.
With wins in both singles, pairs and triples, Spalding won 12-4 to safely book their place in the next round where they will play at home against Melton on Sunday.
p Spalding IBC also played their first game of the mixed county league at home against Grantham.
They enjoyed a comfortable win on all rinks, winning 118-44 on aggregate and securing all 14 available match points.
The top winning rink was skipped by David Nunney, with Carole Nunney, Abs Belding and Betty Deaton who won 31-7.
