Holt 'on tour' at the National Finals
Posted by on 13 August 2021
Holt will be well represented at this year's Bowls England National Finals following success in the Bowls Wiltshire county level competitions. The National finals will commence at Leamington Spa from Thursday 19th August, ending on September 5th.
Wayne Snook was the first club member to book his Leamington space in both the four-bowl and two-bowl singles events following his qualification to the county final of both competitions. Unfortunately, Wayne was defeated in both finals, although he was able to pull off wins against some high quality opponents on route to the finals (notably in the two-bowl event which was played in one day at Devizes Bowls Club).
Runner-up in both county singles events has again cemented Wayne's position as one of the best singles players in Wiltshire, further backing up his county two-bowl title in 2019 and his runner-up place in the four-bowl county final in 2018. Wayne will be playing his four-bowl singles on Friday 20th August and his two-bowl singles on Tuesday 31st August.
Following his success in the singles events, Wayne has also booked his place at the nationals with a place in the fours, alongside long-term playing partners Wayne Simmonds and Ben Gadd. The trio, winning their third county fours title in seven years, were this year partnered with Holt bowler Dane Rose, who will now be making his first appearance at the national finals.
The four pulled off a remarkable comeback in their county fours final against a rink from Chippenham Town Bowls Club, when trailing 7-15, with only three ends remaining. The four picked up ten shots in the last three ends to achieve the win and secure the county title. The four will be playing their fist round match at Leamington on Thursday 26th August.
Holt will also be represented at the national finals in the senior 'over 55's' fours competition, the first time anybody from Holt has qualified in the event, first initiated in 2017. Holt players Malc Clift, Dave Stevens, Malcolm Barker and Graham Archard, who are all qualifying for the finals for the first time, pulled off another great comeback against another Chippenham Town four.
Trailing 9-11 with two ends to go, the Holt four picked up four shots over the last two ends to take the title, a first county title for Clift, Stevens and Archard. The four will be playing their first round match at Leamington on Friday 27th August.
