Louise Catchpole from the Beccles Town Bowls Club played for the Bowls England Under 25s Ladies team in the Home International Series at Greenock, Glasgow.

After trial matches and squad days, Louise retained her place in the England team from last year and again had a successful series of matches, helping England to victory against the other three home nations.

The first match against Wales started in blustery rainy conditions but the England team soon went into an early.

Louise’s rink of Cassidy Lenton (Devon), Jody Clinch (Kent) and Kirsty Hembrow (Somerset) did not settle and found the conditions difficult, losing their first match 14-22,

However, three other winning rinks for England took them to an overall victory score of 87-41.

With Scotland having beaten Ireland in their first match this set up an afternoon clash with the old enemy, England against Scotland with both teams having it all to play for.

Urged on by a very vocal home support which brought a great atmosphere to the occasion, Scotland got of to a flying start.

Louise’s rink again found themselves in difficulty being 1-9 down and the team 14-21 down at five ends.

The vocal support for the Scottish team galvanised the English girls to raise their game and by 10 ends Louise’s rink took a 12-10 lead and the team went 42-34 in front.

However, over the next five ends Scotland got the upper hand again,

Louise had dropped to 13-15 down and the England team were behind 52-56 so a tight finish was guaranteed.

The England team seemed to find another gear and confidence spread across the green.

This was bolstered by a blistering shot on the 17th end from Louise. Finding herself five shots down on the head, she played a conversation shot which saw England lay and win the end by two shots, taking her own rink into a 17-15 lead and the team 64-60 in front.

After that England maintained and held their lead to the finish, Louise winning 21-16 and the team 82-67.

This result meant that a victory against Ireland the following day would make England the champions.

The England team started where they had left off against Scotland, absolutely bossing the game and at 10 ends had a comfortable 49-24 lead. This continued throughout the match and Louise’s rink ran out winners 21-15 and with England winning on the other three rinks they won the overall title.

Even though the Irish team were soundly beaten their travelling support brought a party atmosphere to the occasion with their repertoire of Irish songs.