Monmouth Bowls Club pair, Haydn Holder and Sean Croudace were left disappointed, on Saturday, after failing to bring home the Monmouthshire Bowling Association (MBA) Over60s Pairs Trophy, writes Haydn Holder.

The final, played at Bedwas and Trethomas Bowls Club, against Llanhilleth pair, Paul Rees and Tommy Tranter, looked like a one-sided affair, according to the score board. The appreciative crowd saw a much more entertaining match, however. Although the Llanhilleth Lead, Paul, played well, the Monmouth pair often held shot until Skip, Tom repeatedly turned the tables. Even in tight heads, he seemed to have the “rub of the green”, either promoting a bowl or moving the jack slightly to regain the advantage.

Sean and Haydn received praise from EMBA representatives, John Whomersley and Phil Reed for their performance and for being the only EMBA members to qualify for the MBA Finals.

League results in the Gwent Bowls League Division 1 have been equally disappointing for Monmouth. A home defeat against Blackwood, in which Monmouth managed only 2 points, was followed by a 12-0 defeat at relegation rivals, Bedwellty Park. Despite close games on all 3 rinks, the home side edged ahead to take maximum points, leaving Monmouth facing next season in Division 2.

Results in the Wyvern League have been more encouraging with a good win over Royal Forest of Dean in which the 4-man rink had a fairly comfortable win, the Triple took 2 shots on the final end to win by four shots and the Pair took an incredibly hard-fought match by just one shot.

Whatever your physique, bowls is a sport for everybody and it will help improve your fitness levels and mental wellbeing. Age is no barrier to playing bowls, they welcome younger players as with every sport they are the future.