The Spanish Team started their campaign with
2 extra training sessions which proved to be invaluable. We
had learnt a lot from the Test Match against Wales and
practiced some important aspects of playing the sets game.
Because the mindset is totally different from the normal
game format, you need to be on your toes from the outset. We
had a half day at Monte Mar BC and a whole day at Bonalba BC
plus the official training session at Emerald Isle BC. We
would like to thank the Clubs involved for the use of their
greens and equipment. Without the help and support of the
Clubs we would not be able to train to the high standard we
have achieved. On the first day Perry the Peregrine Falcon,
and his Team prepared for the ensuing games with their
normal warm up. We were honoured by the presence of the
President of the Federation in Madrid Sr. Jose Luis Boto and
fellow Executive Committee member Sr. Luis Fernando
Garandillas. The opening ceremony started with the National
Anthems being played and the players introduced.
Spain:
Women - Sabrina Marks, Sheri Fletcher, Debbie Colquhoun, Jan Dando, Ann Eagle and Yvonne Briden.
Men - Russell Marks, Tony McKenna, Paul Brown, Mick Johnson,
Dominic Mills and Joe Stamper.
England: Women: Ellen Faulkner, Sian Gordon, Sandy Hazell,
Natalie Melmore, Amy Monkhouse and Jamie Lea Winch.
Men: Stuart Airey, Mark Bantock, Mervyn King, Robert Newman,
Graham Shadwell and Sam Tolchard.
Slideshow photos by John
Dedman & John Carr
The first session started with 6 pairs. Spain got of to a
good start winning 3 and losing 3.
Just before lunch, President Sr. Jose Luis Boto made the
presentation of a Plaque to commemorate the event, to John
Bell, the England Team Performance Director. John then
reciprocated and presented Sr. Jose Luis Boto with a Plaque
from England. Perry looked on in amazement, thinking, let’s
hope we have more of this in the future.
After lunch the first session of the afternoon started with
6 Singles and 2 Triples. Spain won 2 Singles. Joe Stamper
beat Sam Tolchard in 2 straight sets and Jan Dando beat
Ellen Faulkner in a tie breaker, lost 4 and also lost both
Triples. 4 out of 8 games went to Tie Breaks. The second
session was also 6 Singles and 2 Triples. Again Spain won 2
Singles. Paul Brown beat Mervyn King in a tie breaker and
Sabrina Marks beat Sian Gordon in a tie breaker, lost 4,
also losing both Triples. 3 out of 8 games went to Tie
Breaks.
Spain was up against one of the Top Countries in the World
and a very young squad, Jamie Lea Winch is just 19 yrs old,
and had all the experience of playing at World Bowls level.
Before coming to Spain, England had been in India and
Australia. Stuart Airey and Mervyn King won the Australian
Open Pairs. Graham Shadwell was runner up in the Australian
Open Singles. Mark Bantock, Graham Shadwell and Robert
Newman won the Men's Triples Gold Medal in the Test
Tournament in Delhi and Jamie Lea Winch, Sandy Hazell and
Sian Gordon won Women's Triples Gold. Spain kept their heads
held high and did themselves proud. They played their best
against the best. Some brilliant bowls and fantastic shots
being played by both sides kept the spectators glued to
their seats. The second day started with another
presentation. John Bell had told Spain Manager Nick Bunbury,
the day before, that he had forgotten his hat. Nick decided
he would help John out. That night Nick bought a hat and
presented it to him before the games started. It matched his
England outfit perfectly even though it sparkled in the sun.
Very pleased with his new item of clothing, John wore it all
morning and when comments were made, he said, “When you have
style you can wear anything”. It kept the sun off him very
well. The first session started with 4 Triples. England won
all 4 with some of the sets being lost by 1 or 2 shots.
After lunch the second session started with 4 Pairs and 4
Singles. Spain won 2 and lost 2 in the pairs. Won 1 and lost
3 in the Singles. The third and last session was the same,
with 4 Singles and 4 Pairs. The ends in the sets were
reduced to 7 instead of nine because of the time set for the
closing dinner. Spain won 1 Singles and lost 3 and won 1
Pairs and lost 3. Most games being very close in the sets.
Would we have won them over the 9 ends? Who knows.
The final overall result was 12 games to Spain and 30 games
to England.
At the closing dinner, Graham Marlow thanked everyone for
their support and co-operation in getting this Test Match
organised. Thank you to the Umpires and Markers who gave up
their time. A special thank you to President June and Keith
Jones and the Emerald Isle Bowling Club for hosting the
Match. John Bell, being a well known after dinner speaker,
was coaxed onto the stage to respond. Well, John never
misses a chance of some banter with the diners. This
occasion was no different. He calls the Spanish Squad,
“England B Costa Del Channel”. He said that he was impressed
at the level the Spanish Team has risen to over the past
couple of years. He also thanked the Team for making England
work for their success and giving them a very good work out.
He then presented Graham Marlow and John Muldoon, our new
National Director, with an England tie. Nick Bunbury was
also given an special England pin.
We were all given a bowls cloth from the England sponsor
Comfitpro.
Before the start of the Test Match, Nick Bunbury asked the
Team to predict what Spain’s winning margin would be, but he
wouldn’t say what his prediction was. He later informed the
Team that he had predicted 30% and that is exactly what we
achieved. As far as the Spanish Team are concerned, they did
very well.
As the National Coach for Spain I would just like to say
that since The Atlantic Games in South Africa 2009, the
Spanish Squad have improved their overall ability and skill
to play at the top level in World events. It was very
unfortunate that Tony McKenna & Sabrina Marks did not get to
Australia for the World Cup due to the Volcanic Ash
situation. I am absolutely positive they would have come
back triumphant. I am so proud of our Squad I now know how
Jose Marino feels. I also speak for the general management
of the Spanish National Bowls Team, and that includes, of
course, the Team mascot
Perry the Peregrine Falcon. Well done to everyone.
We would like to wish England Good Luck when they go to the
Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October. I am sure they will
come back with a few medals.
Why
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The Ladies Singles Final saw the only member from Mijas showing
the flag for the Club. Lynda Hall from Mijas tried to put up a good fight
against Mary Detheridge from Superbowl , but was beaten by an on form Mary who
won by 21 shots to 14.
