Solihull Players Shine as England Clinch International Trophies in Belfast

Last week, the England Women's and Men's International teams showcased remarkable skill and determination in Belfast, securing notable victories and demonstrating the strength of Solihull players on the International stage.

England's victorious Women's International team lifted the Clara John Trophy, with Emily Kernick and Izzie White playing pivotal roles. Meanwhile, Tom Holmes and Ben Harris contributed significantly to England's success in the Men's International Series lifting the R.B Hilton Trophy. Despite some tough losses in the individual events the overall performance highlighted the talent and commitment of our members and the teams as a whole.

England Women Lift the Clara Johns International Trophy

The England Women's team delivered an impressive performance throughout the Clara Johns International Trophy in Belfast. Emily Kernick and Izzie White, both representing Solihull, were integral to the team's success. Their precision and teamwork helped England overcome strong opposition and claim the trophy.

• Emily Kernick demonstrated exceptional accuracy in her shots, often turning the tide in crucial ends. She skipped her rink to 3 consecutive wins, the only England rink to do so in this series, to lead the charge in bringing the trophy back to England.

• Izzie White showed great composure under pressure, contributing both in strategy and execution. In the rink skipped by Amy Pharaoh they won the first match vs Ireland, and 2 close matches against Wales and Scotland but unfortunately lost both games.

  
  

The victory was a testament to the team's preparation and the players' ability to perform on an international stage. The trophy win not only celebrates England's strength in women's bowls by retaining the title they won 12 months ago, but also highlights the growing influence of Solihull players on the International stage.

Key Contributions from Tom Holmes and Ben Harris in Men's Series

On the men's side, Tom Holmes and Ben Harris played vital roles in England's last bowl victory during the Men's International Series. Their teamwork and skill helped secure important points for the team.

• Tom Holmes showcased tactical awareness and consistency, making crucial shots that kept England competitive, ensuring his rink skipped by Nick Brett would win all three matches in the series.

• Ben Harris was substituted into then second match with Scotland after Englands strong start had be wiped out by a Scottish fightback. With strong deliveries and effective communication (DUST THE PIG! - ask Ben), he helped to maintain the England momentum.

  
  

Their efforts contributed to England's overall success in the series, reinforcing the importance of Solihull players in the National setup.

Challenges Faced in Singles and Fours Events

While there were significant wins in the Series some matches ended in disappointment for Solihull players in the individual Championship events. Tom Holmes faced a Gary Pitschou the Channel Islands champion in the Men's Singles, showing resilience fighting back from 5-13 and 11-18 to pull back within two shots at 16-18 the next two ends Tom dropped a 1, then picked up a 3 to level at 19-19. On the last end of the match Tom sadly dropped two shots to ultimately fall short against a strong opponent who ended up as Runner-Up in the event.

Similarly, the Women's Fours team, of Michelle Meadowcroft, Hannah Smith, Izzie White and Emily Kernick experienced a challenging match against the home nation of Ireland. After a nip and tuck start to the match our Solihull four had a small lead at 8 ends 7-5, but then dropped 9 shots over the next four ends to trial 7-14 after 12 ends. A 3 and a 2 on the next two ends brought them back with 2 shots, but then dropped a 2 and a 1 to trial again by 5 with two ends to play. They managed to score a big end of 3 shots to give them hope going into the last end, trialing by just 2 shots 15-17, but could not win the last end dropping a 2 ending the match in an 15-18 defeat. The Irish ladies went on to lift the title.

These results serve as reminders of the competitive nature of international bowls and the fine margins that separate victory from loss. The experience gained in these matches will be invaluable for future competitions.

The Impact of Solihull Players on England’s International Success

The performances of Ben Harris, Emily Kernick, Izzie White and Tom Holmes underline the significant role Solihull players have in England’s International bowls scene. Their dedication, skill, and teamwork contribute not only to team victories but also to raising the profile of the sport locally and nationally.

• Their success inspires upcoming players in Solihull and beyond.

• It strengthens the reputation of Solihull as a hub for talented bowlers.

• It encourages investment and support for bowls at the grassroots level.

  
  

Looking Ahead: Building on Success and Learning from Defeats

We look forward now to our Solihull teams competing in the later stages of numerous events, and we wish all our players the best of luck for the following upcoming matches.

• Wednesday 25th March at 7pm - Wessex League Semi Final vs Barwell - 2 rinks at Solihull and 2 rinks at Barwell

• Sunday 22nd March at 11am - Egham Trophy Semi Final vs Spalding Lightning - 4 rinks at Desborough (Northants)

• Saturday 28th March at 7pm - Top Club Semi Final vs Norfolk - all matches at National Finals - Nottingham