Jay Travis-Jenner bids for Under 18 title

Post date: Mar 7, 2016 1:58:27 PM

STAMFORD bowler Jay Travis-Jenner "will contest the last 16 of the English Indoor Under 18 championship at Spalding on Sunday (9am) when he plays Norfolk's Aaron Johnson from Norwich.

The 17-year-old has had a tough road to the championships beating three players in the sets format including England Under 25 international Ruby Hill (Spalding) in the Area final at Boston.

With his distinctive orange bowls, the former Welland Academy pupil has all the potential to emulate Spalding's Jordan Philpott to go on and win the title, especially with his familiarity of the local surface. We wish him well.

Quarter-final draw: A Barker ( St Neots) or I Jenner (Swale) v A Pitfield (Welllingborough) or S Apsey (Axminster); J Travis-Jenner (Stamford) or A Johnson (Norfolk) v L Nicholls (North Cave) or N Rogers (Loddon Vale); M Toplis (Alfreton) or M Smith (Avon Valley) v D Hughes (Ilford) or Jamie Tindall (Wey Valley); J Till (Egerton Park) or L White (Bristol) v Brad Chalklin (Angel) or C Moss (West Row).

Hopes of four Stamford bowlers reaching the semi-finals of the Lincs County fours were dashed at Spalding, when Stephen Harris, Wayne Morris, Jonathan Earl and Martin Dolby lost to a crack rink of Matt Whyers, Jordan Philpott, and Graham Smith, skipped by Martin Spencer.

Harris was outstanding and matched his Liberty Trophy team mate Whyers at lead but skip Martyn Dolby's gamble to switch his bowls to an alternative 'Tiger Pro' to suit the slower surface back-fired.

Stamford quickly went 8-1 down and never recovered as Spalding piled on the pressure with immaculate bowling and the players finally shook hands with four ends to spare with Stamford trailing 7-17.