DBE v The Rest of The North 2022
On Sunday 23rd January 2022 Stanley IBC in County Durham hosted the first ever Disability Bowls England v Rest of the North challenge… 16 DBE members from around the Country played against 16 players from 4 Clubs from the North East, South Shields Vipers, Gateshead IBC, West Denton IBC and Stanley IBC….
Players representing DBE
Jeff Crowe – Louth & District IBC
David Masterman – Redcar IBC
Ali Domville, Claire Domville & Rob Domville. – New Earswick IBC
Steven Nicholson, Barry Nicholson, David Nicolson & Marie Nicholson – Leeds IBC
Graham Patterson – Gateshead IBC
Gary Swift – Harrogate IBC
Steve Angus & Brett Arkley – Stanley IBC
Craig Dalton… Durham IBC
Diane Rogers & Bob Love – Tamworth IBC
Players Representing The Rest of the North…
Sandie Thompson, Brian Poulter, Keith Atkinson & Jimmy Talyor – Gateshead IBC
Ann Lennie, Karen Waites, Herbie Blacklock & Sheila Storey – West Denton IBC
Vicky Happer, Brenda Harper, Mick Baker & Paul Hart – South Shields Vipers
Ryan Henson, Benson Turnbull, Brenda Turnbull & Ann Baggett – Stanley IBC
The format for the event was 2 sessions of 1 rink of 4 bowl singles (2 Sets of 9 ends, 1 end tiebreak if needed), 3 rinks of 3 bowl pairs (2 Sets of 8 ends, 1 end tiebreak if needed), and 3 rinks 2 bowl triples (2 Sets of 8 ends with a 1 end tiebreak if needed). With 2 Points for a set win, 1 point each for a tied set and 1 point for tiebreak win.
After some close games on session 1 the Rest of the North lead DBE by 20 points to 10 points… After the Buffet lunch a rejuvenated DBE came out strong and again showed their skill and by the end of the 2nd session the points were DBE 30 –30 Rest of the North…so ends won had to be counted and DBE won 108 ends with Rest of the North winning 114
Medals were presented to the winners Rest of the North and the runners up DBE..
The event was played in great spirit and new friendships were made…
Also in attendance was Richie Mckie from The Wrong Bias Podcast who live streamed on social media the singles and pairs (afternoon session) game which featured Bob Love v Brian Poulter…The 2nd session live stream featured Claire Domville and Steve Angus v Brenda & Benson Turnbull…
The live streams can be viewed on YouTube by searching for the Wrong Bias Podcast..
An enjoyable day was had by all, players are already looking forward to next year’s event which with be extended to a 2 day event which will be held on 21st and 22nd January 2023…
DBE Development Team will be returning to the North of England with a “Bowls with a Disability” Taster session and open competition on Saturday 26 March at Eden IBC Penrith, Cumbria everyone is welcome to come along and learn and try disability bowls.
Below are some quotes from members of The Rest of North Team
To be in the company of players from DBE is a humbling experience. Their determination to play sport is to be admired. We at West Denton felt very privileged to be in their presence. We wish you all the very best of luck in all you wish to achieve…. Ann Lennie…West Denton IBC
What a fantastic day & great experience – I loved it. Fantastic talent and level and of bowling all round. Very awe inspiring & inspirational and lovely to meet new people. I look forward to taking part in many more!… Vicky Happer.. South Shields Vipers
What an experience this was for me playing against Bob Love. Great bloke, and it just goes to show what can be achieved with these disabilities. Such accuracy bowling with his feet, unbelievable. Thanks Stevie Angus for the invitation…. Brian Poulter… Gateshead IBC
“Although The Rest of the North came out Victor’s”, it was an awesome experience playing members of Disability Bowls England. Their skill and determination to win justifies all the opportunities our sport should and can give. A great day was had by all. Congratulations to the organisers and Stanley IBC who hosted the event… Sheila Storey… West Denton IBC
It was a fantastic day played in a great friendly spirit, looking forward to the next one either as a player or spectator. The Wrong Bias live stream of the singles has created a lot of interest in the event at our club… Keith Atkinson….Gateshead IBC
A great day of bowls, excellent venue and superb hospitality from Stanley Bowls Club, Very high standard of bowls from the DBE Team…. Paul Hart… South Shields Vipers
Steve Watson (Chairperson DBE) said
I would like to thank Steve Angus and Stanley IBC for having the foresight for putting this event together to showcase to other clubs that our game of bowls is a sport for all and inclusive games and matches are the way forward for everyone to enjoy the sport we love. We are looking forward to returning to the Stanley IBC next year for a 2 day event and look forward to meeting old and making new friends.
We would also like to thank the Wrong Bias Podcast team for live streaming this day which has raised the profile of “Bowlers with a Disability” to a wider audience around the world.
A Sport For All!!
Steve Angus…Disability Bowls England
For more information visit – www.disabilitybowlsengland.org.uk
Photos to be added shortly