Jersey is staging the championship for the first time and the atmosphere was electric as the teams were introduced and, marching onto the green, they were greeted by loud cheers and the waving of lots of flags from all the countries competing.
Jersey Women’s Bowls president Sue Silcox in her opening speach said: ‘It’s a real privilege to be holding the event for the first time and Jersey are proud to be hosts.
We are looking forward to the championship and we have a super facility here at Les Creux to be proud of.’ Les Creux president Alan Cadoret, in handing his club’s green over to the championship, said: ‘We are going to have a feast of bowling and a very competitive week.’ After Lady Cheshire bowled the first bowl she turned to embrace Sue Silcox and wished everyone well for the tournament.
Jersey pair Gean O’Neil and Karina Bisson (formerly Horman), British Isles finalists in 2002, were bowling beautifully this morning and were leading their preliminary round match 13-6 against England’s Jane Baxter and Jennie Groves after ten ends of their 18-end match.
Jersey’s Shirley Bewhay, Jean Jones, Jenny Allo and Sue Dingle were 8-7 behind in their preliminary round fours match against England while Jersey’s triples, Lorraine Murphy, Sheila McGinnigle and Chris Grimes, were 11-4 adrift after nine ends in the semi-final against Ireland.
Competition continues in the British Isles championships today and tomorrow with the International series taking place on Saturday and Sunday.Play starts each day at 9 am and spectators are most welcome.
