Four nations come together for competitive return to the Lawns

Last week, the four bowling home nations of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland took part in a behind closed doors test event in Royal Leamington Spa. 

On Wednesday 28 July, Liam Bartlett, Warwick District Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and Leisure and Neale Murphy, Chairman of Warwick District Council, welcomed the four nations to the Victoria Park Bowls Greens in Royal Leamington Spa, where they met coaches and support staff. 

Attendance was restricted to players, support staff, officials, club members and representatives from the four governing bodies.

Ed Morris, who is representing England and won the Men’s National Singles Championship on the Victoria Park greens in 2019, said:

 “It was nice to get back onto the Championship A green at Victoria Park. It was a real challenge playing against tough opposition, and we had to focus on every delivery – it has been a great event for England so far.”

The event provided Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls performance squads with an excellent opportunity to bowl on greens that will be used for next year’s Commonwealth Games. 

Sophie Tolchard, 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, added: “I really enjoyed it, and we have had some great results so far. It has been a long time since we’ve played international matches together, so it was great to be playing together again.”