England on the Cusp

Scotland’s dream of retaining the women’s senior international series lies in tatters after a 112-120 shot defeat at the hands of the Irish in Glasgow today. Furthermore, they currently find themselves 40 shots adrift against the English.

A 24-11 win for Sandra Baille’s rink over Caroline Brown’s and a 19-7 win for Donna McEvoy’s rink over Margaret Letham’s helped Ireland overcome their Scottish opponents, playing on home soil.

England and Scotland won their opening matches in the British Isles Women’s Bowls Council’s senior international series held at Glasgow, but neither were convincing.

It was very nearly the worst start imaginable for the English in their attempt to regain the title after Scotland’s title-winning tilt last year, claiming a one-shot overall victory against Wales.

Judith Wason’s inspired rink annihilated Ellen Falkner’s rink 31-11, and Emma Moorhouse’s quartet beat Natalie Melmore’s four 20-17 to give Wales a strong chance of victory.

However, England won on the other four remaining rinks and this just saw them over the line.

The Scottish team also struggled in its opening match against ‘minnows’ Jersey. Last year’s champions were pushed all the way after Helen Greechan, Lindsey Greechan and Jean Renouf all skipped their rinks to Jersey wins. However, Lynn Stein, Angie Utley and most notably, a 30-19 win for Margaret Letham’s Scotland rink saw them over the line, 121-114.

After England’s nail-biting victory over Wales in their opening match, the team were in no mood to have another close encounter, defeating Ireland, who had won their opening match against Jersey in a 112-109 slender victory, by a large 42 shot margin, 130-88, with England’s only losing rinks coming again from those skipped by Falkner and Melmore respectively, losing to Barbara Cameron’s and Jennifer Dowds’ rinks.

Currently, the Welsh are defeating the Irish with ease to keep them in the frame, and the English are also storming to victory over Scotland.

Real time scoring can be found by following this link:

https://sites.google.com/site/britishisleswomensbowlscouncil/senior-international-series-2013/live-scoring-17th-june