BOWLS JERSEY have once again showed that they can go toe-to-toe with the world’s elite lawn bowlers.
A ten-strong team attended the 2022 Lawn Bowls European Championships in Scotland and returned to the Island with two silver medals.
Jersey also finished in sixth place out of 17 overall as the competition included a number of men’s and ladies’ formats, singles, pairs, triples and fours.
Michael Rive impressed in the group stage, winning six of his seven games to finish in second, to earn a semi-final tie against England’s Jordan Philpott.
Following a closely fought contest Rive won 21-17 to earn himself a spot in the final against Ireland’s Gary Kelly.
Kelly’s experience showed and Rive, in his first major singles final, was never able to get going, falling 21-10, to secure a silver medal.
The ladies’ fours of Megan Kivlin, Fiona Archibald, Gina Le Long and Kim Gallichan won their opening game against the Isle of Man, before a loss to the Netherlands.
However, they rebounded with a statement win over England – before they also earned victory over Ireland to book their place in the semi-finals against Wales.
Due to personal circumstances Archibald was unable to play in the tie against Wales and was replaced by Rachel Macdonald.
The Jersey quartet raced to an early lead and never looked in trouble in a 14-10 win – setting up another clash with tournament favourites England in the final.
Again Macdonald replaced Archibald in the final and, despite taking two on the first end, Jersey soon found themselves under the cosh, going down 16-6.
Despite the obvious disappointments of final losses, both the ladies’ quartet and Rive can be very proud of bringing home silver medals.
Kivlin and Macdonald were also in action in the ladies’ pairs and returned three wins from five to secure a third-place group finish – narrowly missing out on the semi-finals.
On the men’s side, the duo of Rob Clive and Michael Rive returned four wins from seven, enough for fourth place in their section – losing out on third place on shot difference to Israel.
In the ladies’ triples, Archibald, Gallichan and Gina Le Long secured a pair of wins from five, highlighted by a draw against Wales to finish third in their group.
The men’s triples of Kevin Le Long, Didier Le Falher and Ian Partridge recovered well from their defeats on day one and didn’t drop another game.
Their four wins from six, secured third in their group.
In the ladies’ singles Macdonald won two from six to finish fourth in her group.
In the men’s fours, Le Falher, Le Long, Clive and Partridge won two and drew one from seven games to complete their group in fifth place.
Jersey men: Didier Le Falher, Kevin Le Long, Rob Clive, Michael Rive, Ian Partridge, Peter Le Long (manager).Jersey ladies: Megan Kivlin, Kim Gallichan, Fiona Archibald, Gina Le Long, Rachel Macdonald, Jean Holmes (manager).
