Several Herefordshire bowlers have enjoyed a very successful season playing from the Malvern Hills Indoor Bowls Centre.

Jim Knowles (St Martin’s) teamed up with Martin Smith (Ross-on-Wye) in the over 60’s County Pairs where reaching the final, played David Chewter and Martin Griffiths (both Ledbury) and ran out winners by 18 shots to 9.

There was further success in the county rinks when Martin Griffiths and Martin Smith teamed up with Harvey Griffiths and Mark Atkins (both Ledbury) winning the final against a team from Bromsgrove, on the last end to win by one shot.

Martin Griffiths and Martin Smith also reached the final of the county pairs losing by four shots, with the final score 11-15 to Mark Atkins and Shaun Jones (both Malvern Hills IBC).

In the National competitions, Marcus Smith and Mike Holmes (both Ledbury) teamed up with Alan Griffiths (St Dunstones) and Neil Smith (Bishops Cleeve) and reached the regional final where they were denied the chance of reaching the National finals narrowly losing by just 3 shots 19-22.

In the National Over 60 Men’s Pairs Martin Griffiths and Martin Smith came through some tough games and qualified for the National Finals at Nottingham where they got through to the last eight before succumbing to a very good pair from York IBC.

In the National Mixed Fours, Mark Atkins teamed up with Eira Drake, Emily Jones and Alan Griffiths and got through the area to reach the National Finals where they were narrowly beaten 16-14 in the first round.

In the National Family Pairs, father and son Mark and Ryan Atkins qualified for the National Finals however due to ill health, Mark had to pull out.

Marcus Smith, Neil Smith and Mike Holmes qualified for the National Finals in the Men’s Over 50 Triples at Nottingham and played some great matches to reach the final where with 3 ends to play were leading 15-12 but failed to score again and lost by three 15-18.

Martin Smith qualified in the National Over 60 Men’s Singles where he produced some great performances in the quarter and semi-finals to reach the final and became the 2017/18 Champion winning the final 21-17.