Junior bowlers from around our region competed in the Potters Leisure Resort International Arena as part of the venue's three-week festival of bowls. As senior players warmed up for the final of the World Open Singles competition in Hopton, the juniors were already making their mark.

Junior bowlers from around our region competed in the Potters Leisure Resort International Arena as part of the venue's three-week festival of bowls.

As senior players warmed up for the final of the World Open Singles competition in Hopton, the juniors were already making their mark.

Competing in the Junior Pairs final were Luke Shaw, 15, from Sir John Leman High School in Beccles with team-mate Connor Peck, 11, from Halesworth Middle School, against Stefan Trapp, 14, from Bungay High School with Kyle Wakeman, 11, also from Halesworth Middle School.

Luke and Connor comfortably took the first set, but Stefan and Kyle took a four in the first end of the second set - something that Billy Jackson was to do in the first end of his final on the same rink a couple of hours later - and never gave up their lead to take the second set and force a tie break.

In front of some 400 spectators, including family, friends and holiday-makers, both teams fought out the tie break with the red team just taking the first end. Then on the last wood of the second end they took the shot and the match after being two shots down.

The organiser, Jean MacHeath, commented, “These four bowlers illustrate the depth of bowling talent in Suffolk and Norfolk today in the younger age groups.

“Kyle, Luke, Connor and Stefan are all now beginning to make their mark in club teams and competitions, as well as at county events.”

Potters Leisure Resort was delighted to host the event and, after presenting the Readhead-Croxford Trophy to Luke and Stefan, Judy Potter said: “The standard of bowls was outstanding and I am sure that these rising stars will be competing in the main World Bowls Final sometime in the future.”