Against England, the battling Jersey trio, with Bisson in particularly good form, trailed 3-7 after six ends, but enjoyed a profitable spell mid-game, scoring ten shots while conceding only one over the next eight ends to lead, 13-8.
At 7.30 pm, Lynne Whitehead, Jean Baker and Pat Oliver had been on the green for more than 20 hours in two days, but, just when it looked as if fatigue might knock England’s chances, they put in a fighting finish.
On the 15th end, Jersey were holding two shots that would have put them 15-8 in front, but Oliver, the England skip, picked up the jack to take a vital single – though Jersey were still four shots to the good.
What should have been a minor hiccup turned into a copper-bottomed disaster, as the England trio collected five shots on the next end to take the lead, 14-13, and managed to add two singles for a 16-13 victory.
All that hard work, successfully accomplished against a star-studded team, went for nothing – thanks to the damage done by that freak five.
But the Jersey trio showed their customary good sportsmanship, smiled, and congratulated their opponents, who had earlier won the fours (with clubmate Pauline Marples).
‘Yes, we are disappointed,’ admitted Bisson.
‘Having already won the singles and pairs, I really wanted that one to make it three out of four, but our disappointment is less because we feel we played well.’ O’Neill agreed: ‘It was a great game, and it was a pleasure to play in it.
That’s three times we’ve had a go at the triples – and we’re getting closer.’ Whitehead, England’s young lead, admitted that Jersey had been in control for most of the game.
‘They played better than we did, and seemed to find a better line to the jack, but we dug deep, and it all came good in the end.’ The Jersey trio were well supported by members of the Island’s team, who were scheduled to launch their challenge for the British team title this morning with a match against the host country and defending champions.
After taking on Scotland this afternoon, they meet England and Ireland tomorrow, and will be sitting in the pavilion enjoying a well-deserved rest session when the programme is completed on Thursday.
British women’s bowls championships at Llandrindod Wells:- Singles:- Final: K Houston (Scotland) bt K Pearce (Wales) 21-19.
Pairs:- Final: M Shaw & M Johnston (Ireland) bt V Osmond & S Latham (England) 18-16.
Fours final: England bt Scotland 21-10.
