Hat-trick of titles for Tom in one day

Said Tom, a facilities team leader who ‘fell in love with bowls’ aged 12 at the Avon Club in Wiltshire with his dad and was a Bowls England under 25 finalist in 2019: “I was really pleased with how the day went and that I have been able to get through the games with people who I’m close with. It makes it that much more enjoyable and now I’m just looking forward to the finals.”

Elsewhere. Lyn Tuck added a second title, teaming up with Ketton’s  Shirley Suffling and Elaine Upton, a late substitute after Louise Harris withdrew.

Louise’s brother Stephen had earlier in the week retained the NBF men’s singles, defeating John Holroyd. Stamford Town’s Elizabeth Wallace completed a notable double - taking the pairs with Christine Ford and the Senior singles against Hazel Brewin.

Martyn Dolby retained the men’s senior singles and will be chasing a hat-trick of national titles in the event at Lincoln, which start on April 20.

MEN: Singles – S Harris bt J Holroyd 21-4; Veterans singles – M Dolby bt K Vinter 21-10; Pairs – T Newman-Borrett & I Smith bt T Barwell & N Wilkie 24-7; Mixed pairs – L & K Tuck bt T Newman-Borrett & M Smith 16-11; Triples: M Humphreys, T Newman-Borrett, S Harris bt P Dalliday, S Law, T Morton 17-15; Mixed triples – T Newman-Borrett, M & I Smith bt G Agger, L Agger, P Brown 17-8.
LADIES: Singles – H Brewin bt M Smith 21-15; Senior singles – E Wallace bt H Brewin 21-8; Pairs – E Wallace & C Ford bt M Smith & L Agger (Sub) 24-15; Triples – L Tuck, S Suffling, E Upton (Sub) bt V Du’Kett, R Downs, A Northen 26-16.

Lincs finalists

Neil Wright and Moira Holroyd - a last minute substitute for Christine Ford - reached the finals of the Lincolnshire IBA mixed pairs after a thrilling semi-final victory.

The pair trailed by a shot going into the last end at Lincoln IBC but held three shots against locals George and Kath Draper who failed  to dislodge their bowls. The Stamford pair won 18-17.

Elsewhere, Owen Aspinall continued his run of success by reaching the final of the Under 25 singles. He beat Louth’s Dan Stanley in straight sets and will face Jake Johnson (Lincoln).

Elsewhere Nick Wilkie conceded his 9am sets singles to Lincoln’s Sam Ashton in preference to competing 50 miles away in the Northants Federation pairs final at Stamford. But he arrived later to play Spalding Lightning’s Dominic McVittie in the singles losing 13-21.

It was a similar tale for former winner Jeff Pitt in the Senior singles, while the Stamford quartet of Mick Humphreys, Wayne Morris, Neil Wright and Adam Warrington were beaten 19-5 by a Spalding rink which included Stamford clubmate Stephen Harris in sparkling form.

Harris, who represents England this week in the home internationals in Belfast had earlier reached the county men’s singles final defeating Danny Brown 21-15. 

*Freddie Knapp was a member of the Spalding Lightning team which reached the final of the Under 18 triples.