Under-18 3-bowl Pairs Competition Held at Llandrindod Wells 01/09/24.

The Competition once again was a success, with thirteen pairs representing eight counties competing in two sections, each pair playing 4 games. Each game lasting one hour or 11 ends.

In section “A” there were 8 teams, with some great games. The Ceredigion pair of Gareth Lloyd Davies & Elis Jones (Tregaron) played very well finishing second, and had an impressive win in their final game defeating Mid Glamorgan’s Ollie Price & Elijah Minett 9-7. The Mid-Wales combination of Alfie Price & Ffion Stephens (Llandrindod Wells) won three games but missed out on qualification for the final after losing heavily to Monmouthshire’s Ethan Simmonds (Pontymister Athletic) & Ioan Cook (Abertillery).With three teams level on 6 points, it was Mid-Glamorgan’s superior shot difference which took them into the final.

In section “B” there were only 5 teams following two withdrawals, but all teams played four games, and there were some very close games. Carmarthen County’s Jack Evans (Kidwelly Town) and Jack Childs (Ammanford Park) played well throughout but lost their third game to Monmouthshire’s pair of Holly Deem (Crosskeys Welfare) & Jack Rees (Blaina) 12-6. West Glamorgan’s Jack Thomas & Billy Flynn (Pontrhydyfen) were involved in two very tight tussles with Monmouthshire & Carmarthen County but unfortunately lost both to scupper their chances of qualifying for the final. In an exciting last round of games, with Carmarthen in a commanding lead over West Glamorgan going into the final end, Monmouthshire trailed 8-9 to Mid-Glamorgan’s Baley Jacka, and Cadin Collins (Blaenrhondda), but managed to pick up a “two” to win 10-9, & finish top of their section
and undefeated with four wins.

The final between Mid-Glamorgan and Monmouthshire was played on rink 5 on green A over 15 ends. The match was close early on, with Monmouthshire’s Holly Deem finding her line & length quickly and Jack Rees capitalising. Monmouthshire led 5-3 on 6 ends, but the Mid-Glamorgan pair gradually began to control the heads with skip Elijah asking Ollie to bring the mat up to the 25M marker playing short jacks to the ditch – the tactic
worked & Mid-Glamorgan picked up a count of “5” on the 10th end, and despite Monmouthshire taking a double on the 11th, it was the Mid-Glamorgan pair who controlled the last three ends with Monmouthshire conceding after 14 ends with the score at 16-9. Congratulations to Mid-Glamorgan who were crowned Under-18 pairs champions 2024 & lifted the Alan Williams trophy

Nick Harris – Competition Secretary.

Champions - Ollie Price and Elijah Minnett Mid Glamorgan

Finalists - Holly Deem and Jack Rees Monmouthshire