The first of this season’s county championships to be played was the Singles competition. This competition was played recently and was contested by a total of 24 entrants at Ross Bowling Club.

In a format that was played over the course of two days, the initial round robin groups ended up reducing the field to 16, before a second round of group games left 16 players to contest the knockout stages.

By the time the contestants had reached the semi-final stage, the three most recent winners of the title were still in contention.

Defending champion, Joe Loveys (Gorsley Chapel), defeated the 2016 champion, John Jillings (Woolhope), in his semi-final.

Meanwhile, three time winner, Ian Park, (Ross-on-Wye), defeated his club mate, Ian Roe, in a repeat of the final that was contested in 2017.

The final resulted in Ian Park taking an early lead which he never relinquished despite Joe’s best efforts, and Ian was able to hold the lead throughout the match to secure a record fourth title.

Meanwhile, two Herefordshire players represented England in the recent British Isles Championships. This was an amazing achievement for the local players, who were very proud to represent not only their county, but the country. They played a strong game.

Becci Cox and John Mills, of the Woolhope club, represented England ‘A’ in the championships which were held in Cardiff recently.

Becci played in a Triple and, although the team ended up losing their three matches, two of these matches were only decided in the last end of tight play. The Herefordshire contestants played strongly and the games were very closely contested.

John played in a successful Fours team which ended up achieving the position of runners-up in their competition, only losing out to Ireland by a single shot, having finished level on points after they had played all three of their matches.

Other Herefordshire players who will be proudly representing England this season are Kate Williams (Ross-on-Wye) in the England Ladies squad and Dominic Rogers (Woolhope) in the England Under 21 squad.