Ben (17) wins Stamford Junior Open

Post date: Mar 10, 2019 7:46:46 PM

The England under 18 triallist, who has been bowling since the age of ten, beat last year's winner - 11-year-old Sam Brugnoli, a St Peter's School, Huntingdon pupil - 7-3 in the eight-end final.Prizemoney was provided from the estate of the late Arthur Chapman, Stamford IBC's oldest member, who died, aged 96, in November but requested that he sponsor the next Junior Open.Bywater emerged unbeaten from four matches in his group and beat Dan MacKenzie (17), an apprentice greenkeeper from the Tye Green Club in Harlow 8-5 in the semi-final. Brugnoli, who also won the national under 12 skills title two years ago, beat 14-year-old fellow Huntingdon IBC member Sam Ormiston 7-2.Best of the Stamford players competing was 10-year-old Owen Aspinall who won all his four matches but failed by just a handful of shots to make the semi-finals. Nine-year-old Olly Jeapes (pictured above left), son of former England Under 25 international Michael, and already showing signs of great promise despite only taking up the game in January as part of the Stamford junior academy, won two matches. Nicholas Lees and Emilie Robertson (pictured in action, left) also took part and gained valuable experience against tough competition.The tournament, which also attracted bowlers from as far afield as Ipswich, Kings Lynn and Leicester, was organised by Mike Ramsden and Keith Rippin, who paid tribute to the helpers and volunteer markers. Prizes were presented by Stamford Ladies President Shirley Suffling. BW