Ireland win World Under 25 mixed pairs
England – Emily Kernick & Harry Goodwin V Ireland Shauna O’Neill & Ryan McElroy
The standard of the mixed pairs semi-final earlier in the day, set high expectations for this year’s, final between England’s Emily Kernick and Harry Goodwin who were taking on Ireland’s Shauna O’Neill and Ryan McElroy, and we weren’t disappointed.
Shauna and Ryan won the first two ends of the first set scoring two singles, but we were all level after three ends when Emily and Harry picked up two. Already the East Kilbride crowd were being treated to some fantastic bowls. End four was the turning point in the first set, lying one with a bowl to play, Ryan played the perfect weight to turn the bowl and sit for three giving the Irish pair a bit of a cushion 5-2 with only three ends to play. Singles were traded on the next two ends, a three was now required by Emily and Harry to at least tie the set. A sensibly worked end saw Shauna and Ryan prevent any slip ups and saw them take the first set 8-3.
The second set was almost a carbon copy of the first set, 2-2 after three ends, and again the fourth end had a defining moment to the outcome of the set.
A hard worked end from Emily and Harry, saw them hold two shots with three bowls to come, Ryan elected for a forehand runner, maximum result followed when Ryan picked up the jack straight to the ditch and his bowl followed in about 18 inches away. Harry pulled up just sort with his last bowl of the end which left Ryan a draw to within two feet to make the two, and he didn’t disappoint, drawing within close range to make the crucial two to lead 4-2.
Another two on the next end for the Irish pair saw them extend their lead, but Emily and Harry set up the next end almost perfectly to make three of four shots, but drawing in for second, Ryan made it almost impossible for Harry to score more than two. Harry tried to make some magic happen trying to run his own bowl onto the two Irish bowls but just caught it at the wrong angle to only score a single.
Leading 6-3 playing the last end, Shauna and Ryan again played a sensible end to console their three shot lead and deservedly scored one to take the set and the crown of 2023 World Under 25 Mixed Pairs Champions.
A fantastic and thrilling final was witnessed by a large crowd who showed their appreciation to all the players and deservedly so.
The Presentation followed and the trophies and medals were presented by IIBC President Alison Merrien MBE with the East Kilbride standing to take in the sound of “Ireland’s Call “ which was played across the stadium.
Congratulations to all the medal winners.
Gold – Shauna O’Neill & Ryan McElroy (Ireland)
Silver – Emily Kernick & Harry Goodwin (England)
Bronze – Jessie Cottell & Nathan Black (Australia)
– Aleena Binti Ahmad Nawawi & Muhammad Idham Amin Bin Ramlan (Malaysia)
Caption: Ireland’s Shauna O’Neill and Ryan McElroy with IIBC president Alison Merrien MBE
Live scoring is available through the IIBC website – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ1wugqkKnjGDE04Ab_nbCzXKWgIltmZBTF2iJh2pZ-cHz_MsPt9kawwdh-k8gG837O10QKUvJdoyvA/pubhtml
Match scores can be found on the World Bowls Match Centre Results https://bit.ly/47EViyp
The International Indoor Bowls Council (IIBC) and World Bowls Under 25 World Championships is being staged at East Kilbride IBC, December 4-8.
