Somerset School of Excellence 2012.

The final of this year’s event was held at Bristol Indoor BC on Saturday 21^st January.

32 players from across the County, which this year included 1 from Minehead and 2 from Severalls Jubilee, qualified for the event and produced some excellent bowling. The players are divided into two sections of Juniors, 10 to 15 years of age and Seniors, 15 to 18 years of age. Each section is then divided into groups of 4 who compete in a Round Robin of 3 games of 7 ends. They then compete in 4 Set Skills Exercises and the points from each event are added together to determine the semi-finalists.

In the Junior section semi finals Jack Groves ( Watchet ) beat Elliott Jenkins ( Portishead ) 11 shots to 2 and Shannon Crouch ( Yeovil ) beat Liam White ( Bristol ) 9 shots to nil. In the Senior section semi finals Reece White ( Bristol ) beat Macauley Mattravers ( Yeovil ) 10 shots to 2 and Samuel Steel ( Watchet ) beat Barnaby Green ( Taunton Deane ) 8 shots to 4.

In the Junior Final Jack Groves ( 2011 National Final runner-up ) beat Shannon Crouch 9 shots to 1. In the Senior Final, after 7 ends the scores were equal at 5 all. In the extra end Reece White scored 2 to secure the title over Sam Steel.

This year’s School was generously sponsored by the Indoor and Outdoor Patrons Associations and the winners were duly presented with their trophies by Tony Seymour, Indoor Patrons Chairman,                      and Gerry Gridley, Outdoor Patrons Chairman. Also present were Ray Dolby, President of SCIBA           and Jim Reed Secy. SCIBA and SBA Ladies President Nancy Reid and Mens President David Bendall.

Thanks must be extended to Pete Staddon and his team of Coaches who have been busy at various Indoor greens during the past few months and all who made the day go so well. A special vote of thanks to Mrs Wendy Toman and all the volunteers of the Bristol Indoor BC who catered so well for the 100 or so attendees. Finally thank you to all the competitors and their supporters, we were treated to some wonderful bowls, played in a very sporting manner  – keep enjoying your game.

The events at Dorset, Devon and Cornwall have yet to take place. Upon their completion the Regional Coordinator, Hedley Bowen, will determine the players who will be invited to the Regional Final on Sunday 15^th April at Plymouth IBC.