Pat Metcalfe……………….
Spanish National Coach……….
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Unforunately I have to report that Nick Bunbury has resigned from his post as Spanish National Team Manager. Nick worked very hard for the Team at his own considerable cost. Best wishes go to Nick and Margaret for the future. I am sure we will see them both back on the Green in the near future.
"ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS @ ATHENA BEACH, PAPHOS, CYPRUS. 17th to 30th October 2011"
"UPDATE ON THE ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011"
Spanish ladies Team win Bronze Medals in the Triples and Pairs at the
2011 Atlantic Championships in Cyprus
The first week of the Atlantic Championships started with Men’s Triples, Nick Cole, Mick Johnson and Joe Stamper, with Paul Brown and Derek Eldon in the Pairs. Also Ladies Triples, Debbie Colquhoun, Jan Dando and Sheri Fletcher, with Yvonne Briden and Peta Rhodes in the Pairs. Both desciplines were played thru to the Final. The atmosphere and excitement of the spectators watching the Bowls Matches going on never waned all week. Spain’s Ladies did brilliantly coming away with Bronze medals in the Triples and Pairs. They all played some great bowls in some very tight situations. Beating Ireland, Israel, Holland, Jersey and Guernsey, losing only to Scotland and Wales in their Group. Spain won the group in the Triples and were assured of a Bronze medal at the least. The Pairs had to play off for a Semi final place against Canada, which they won and were also assured of a Bronze Medal. Fantastic for Spain. This is the first time Spain has won any medals in a major World Bowls Tournament. Unfortunately our Men came up against some very formidable opposition from Wales, Scotland and South Africa in the triples. In the Pairs, the new Pairing of Derek Eldon and Paul Brown had a very heavy task ahead of them. They beat Guernsey and USA but, they lost to England, Ireland, Jersey and Wales. There was some excellent bowling by all, and in some matches, the scores didn’t reflect the games. The Fours and Singles Competition started the day after the Finals of the Triples and Pairs. The Ladies rink of Debbie Colquhoun, Jan Dando, Yvonne Briden and Sheri Fletcher, won 3 games and drew 2. They only lost to England by 1 shot on the last end of the game. They were 3rd in the group and through to the playoff. They lost in the playoff against Ireland. Nearly a 3rd Medal to Spain. Unfortunately in the Singles, Spains Peta Rhodes only won 1 game against USA. The Men’s Rink of Paul Brown, Derek Eldon, Mick Johnson and Joe Stamper, won 4 of their 6 games against Canada, Holland, USA and Jersey. They lost to Israel and England. They were 3rd in the group and through to the playoff. Were our Men going to get a Medal as well??? That would be great for Spain. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. They played Scotland and lost by 1 shot on the last end. With 2 up on the board and holding game in the head, Graeme Archer played a weighted a bowl and got 3 shots leaving our Men down by 1 shot with no bowls left. So near yet so far. In the Singles, Nick Cole came up against some really on form youngsters from Ireland and Wales and the formidable Bob Donnelly from South Africa. He lost to Wales by only 1 shot and beat Guernsey and Canada. Still, this is the best results that Spain has ever had as a Team and everyone wishes the Ladies good luck in the World Championships in Adelaide Australia in 2012.
FOR A MORE DETAILED REPORT AND PHOTOS VISIT www.spanishbowlssquad.com
The time is fast approaching when we leave for Cyprus. Unfortunately there will be a few of us missing for the Winter League Matches in October. We wish the rest of the Winter League Team the very best of luck while we are away. All the practice sessions have been done and the preparations made. We will be leaving Spain on the 13th October and returning, hopefully with a medal, on the 1st November.
Sheri Fletcher will be skipping the Ladies Rinks & Triples. Derek Eldon & Paul Brown will be playing the Men's Pairs and the Men's Rinks. Nick Cole will be playing the Men's Singles and the Men's Triples.
If you want to follow the results of the above Competition go to www.worldbowlsltd.co.uk and click on results. The website is usually updated on a daily basis. We wish the Spanish National Team the very best of luck and hope they do well in Cyprus.
Pat Metcalfe
Updated 1st October 2011
Spanish Internationals Sheri Fletcher, Paul Brown, Nick Cole & Derek Eldon have been selected to play for Spain in the above competition. This will be Derek's 1st World Bowls International Competition and on behalf of Javea Bowls Club we wish them all the luck in the World. Let's hope they come back with a medal. In 2009 in the above Competition in South Africa, Sheri was part of the Ladies Team that qualified for the World Championships in Australia 2012
"WORLD CUP, 12th TO 20th APRIL 2011, WARILLA BOWLS CLUB AUSTRALIA"
Spanish International Paul Brown, will be on his way to Australia shortly, to take part in the World Cup Singles. This Competition is being held at the Warilla Indoor Bowls Club. On behalf of the Spanish National Team and the Javea Bowls Club, we would like to wish Paul all the luck in the world and hope he comes back with a medal. Joining him from La Siesta Bowls Club is, Peta Rhodes. We wish Peta good luck and hope she comes back with a medal also.
"Congratulations to Derek Eldon who has been accepted as a Member of the Spanish National Team"
"ANNUAL TEST MATCH SPAIN v PORTUGAL @ INDALO BC MOJACAR"
October/November 2010
The Annual Test Match of Spain v Portugal got underway at Indalo Bowls Club on the 31st October.
This was the first time that the Home match was played on Carpet. Portugal started their campaign with a practice game against Malaga on their way to Mojacar. They also had a practice game against Indalo BC after they arrived. Indalo BC put out another Team against Spain in a practice game the following day. Normally on the first two days of this annual event, a game called the “Iberian Challenge” is played between the Supporters & Spouses against Portugal Supporters. This year Portugal could not supply enough people for this and a game for the Supporters & Spouses of the Spanish Squad was arranged against Indalo BC.
The S & S struggled on the first day winning two out of six matches, but they came out fighting the second day and won five out of six giving them an overall win of seven games to five. Well done the Supporters & Spouses. Thanks also to the Indalo players who helped fill the Team.
On the first day of the Test Match Spain won all their games with a clean sweep. Only two games went to a Tie Break. Even when a very strong wind came up, the Guys & Gals kept up the pressure. Our Mascot Perry forgot who & what he was when he saw the Indalo Club Bull. He thought he was a cowboy at a Rodeo. Shame he fell off when the wind came up.
Enough of that Cock & Bull story.
This is the first time in Spain’s history where the Team didn’t drop a point. We had 3 new Members making their International debut from the development Squad in the Team. Maggie Holmes Indalo BC, Sheila Cammack Country Bowls BC & Derek Eldon Javea BC. They all played well and were a great asset to the team. I am sure they will continue to enjoy their International Careers.
The second day started much the same as the first. The men’s Pairs lost on the last end of a Tie Break and in the afternoon three games went to Tie Breaks. Our Ladies Rink, Debbie Colquhoun, Peta Rhodes, Jan Dando & Sheri Fletcher got a hotshot. Spain won the Test overall 62 pts to 2pts.
Playing for Portugal was a lovely Lady called Irene who was 83 years old, She was playing her first International match. She started playing bowls at the grand age of 71 because she wanted something to do. She played some very good bowls and was an asset to the Portugal Team. At the end of the Match she was presented with an Indalo Cravat as a memento of her visit to Spain by Spanish Team Manager Nick Bunbury. Portugal Manager Amadeu Rocha presented Nick with a plaque to commemorate the event. We would like to gratefully thank Indalo BC for hosting this event. Special thanks go to John Colquhoun, Indalo Club Captain, for his organisation. Also, thanks go to the Umpires & Markers who gave up their time. Another special thank you goes to Jan Johnson who organised the food with the help of Chris Dedman.
We look forward to playing Portugal next year on their own turf.
photos on the website www.spanishbowlssquad.com
Written by Pat Metcalfe Spanish National Coach
"SPAIN v MALAGA @ SANTA MARIA BOWLS CLUB, COSTA DEL SOL"
October 2010
"Perry does it again"
Spain played against the Malaga Tigers for the second time this year and came away the Victors, with our Mascot Perry at the helm, for the second time this year. The game was played at the Santa Maria Bowls Club on the Costa Del Sol. The weather was brilliant, the green proved to be a bit tricky on some rinks, but Spain conquered the anomalies admirably. On the first day, our Ladies won 5 lost 2 and drew 1 game. Our Men won 3 and lost 1. This gave us a cushion 17pts to 7pts going into the second day. As reported before we used to start very sleepily and come out fighting on the second day, but we seemed to have got over that hurdle. The second day proved to be a bit different, with the sleepy start normally from the first day, setting in. The Malaga Tigers came out growling. The Ladies won 2 games out of 4 and the Men lost 2. Before the start of the afternoon session, Perry had to wield a big stick and gave the Team a wrap on the knuckles and made sure they went out and played the final session with conviction. The Ladies won all 4 games and the Men won 1 and lost 1. The overall points after the 2 days were in favour of Spain 31 to 17 with the shots 430 Spain and Malaga 369. Well done to both sides as a lot of the games were very close and hard fought.
Our Men’s Development Team played for the first time as a Team against the Malaga Tigers. They didn’t win much but they played their hearts out and made a great impression on everyone. Their scores were not part of the overall figures. Well done to them all. It was a great 2 days and everyone enjoyed it. Special thanks go to D J Hilton for organising the whole thing. The food was second to none and very good value. Thanks to all his helpers in the kitchen. Thanks also to the owners of Santa Maria who kept us well watered. Last and by no means least thanks to the Umpires & Markers for giving up their time. Thanks to the Malaga Tigers Squad for giving us a very hard fought two days. We hope to see them again sometime next year.
There are photos on the website www.spanishbowlssquad.com
Written by Pat Metcalfe Spanish National Coach
"SPAIN v SOUTH AFRICA"
July 2010.
"South Africa Sent Perry Up The Pole! (Literally)"
Spain arrived for their normal practice session prior to the Test Match in soaring temperatures in the mid 30s. South Africa flew in that morning and as soon as they were checked in at the Hotel, joined us for their practice session. It was amazing to watch them find the weight of the green so quickly. They normally play on grass which is a lot heavier than our carpets.
That, after all, was why they were there. To give them Competitive practice for the Commonwealth Games in India in October. We had met most of them last year at the Atlantic Championships in South Africa, so it was nice to renew old acquaintances. The first day got underway with the opening ceremony with both anthems being played. Graham Marlow made a presentation to South Africa Team Manager Ron Weddell.
There were 36 games to play over 6 sessions. The first day was three sessions playing all disciplines. Two sessions in the afternoon of the second day with the last session on the morning of the 23rd.
Spanish Team
Debbie Colquhoun
Peta Rhodes
Sheri Fletcher
Sabrina Marks
Chris Evans
Yvonne Briden
Maggie Lawley
Matt Tew
Russell Marks
Joe Stamper
Brian Manser
Alex McNeil
Dominic Mills
South African Team
Santjie Steyn…………..Ladies Triples
Tracey-Lee Botha
Susan Nel
Brunie Gerber……………Ladies Pairs
Colleen Piketh
Helen Grundlingh……….Ladies Singles
.
Johan Duplessis………….Men's Triples
Wayne Perry
Gippo Vermuelen
Shaun Addinal…………….Men's Pairs
Gerry Baker
Bobby Donelly…………….Men's Singles
.
The South Africa Team stayed in their selected Team positions & Spain were moved around to give them a different variety of Team combinations to play each session.
Although Spain didn’t win many of the sets games, they were very hard fought and very close scores. Most being lost in tie breaks. The bowling from both sides was brilliant. South Africa had that edge on us all the time and never let up once. Very well done to both sides.
There was panic on the second day. Perry, our mascot, had gone missing and nobody had noticed for a few hours. He was spotted flying high up the South African flag pole. He didn’t look too happy just hanging there. On our last day, Ron Weddell owned up to being the perpetrator of the dirty deed and said he was surprised it took so long for someone to notice he was missing. Margaret Bunbury (Kodak) was beside herself when she couldn’t find him. She will have to watch him more closely in future.
The Ladies Singles player, Helen Grundlingh, didn’t lose one game through the whole Test Match. Peta Rhodes came very close to beating Helen in the last tie break. She was level at 1-1 on the second end but Helen drew two perfect bowls on the last end to finish 1-3. Peta also played in the Pairs with Debbie Colquhoun and beat Brunie Gerber and Colleen Piketh in two straight sets.
The star of our Men’s Team was Joe Stamper. He won four games out of six against very strong opposition. Two singles, 1 Pairs with Matt Tew and a Triples with Matt & Russell Marks. He nearly made it five out of six, but, Gerry Baker had the last bowl of a 4 end tie break in a Pairs with Matt Tew. Joe was holding for the match and Gerry had a lucky rub off a front bowl and took the jack for shot to win the game. Gerry admitted it was a lucky shot and apologised to Joe & Matt. I told Gerry it was akin to Maradonna’s hand of God shot in the World Cup. Being the sportsman he is, he appreciated the banter and was well ribbed about it during the rest of the day. Brian Manser, Alex McNeil & Dominic Mills won a Triple in a tie break. Brian Manser & Alex McNeil won a Pairs in a tie break. The sets game can be very cruel when it comes to adding up total scores over 2 sets. There were seven games where the total of all shots added up for Spain, came to more than the opponents score but were lost on tie breaks. It’s a tough world out there and we have to keep striving to reach our goals. Special thanks go to our Special Reserve Maggie Lawley. She supported the rest of Team throughout the three days and made a lot of noise doing so. Maggie played in a Triple with Yvonne Briden & Chris Evans in the last session of the Test. Special thanks also go to Indalo Bowls Club and John Colquhoun for his organisation of the Markers & Umpires, a steady supply of water and our food requirements. Thanks also to the Ladies who did the food, they were very organised. South Africa have invited the Spanish Team to visit them in Durban. I would personally like to thank the Coaching Team for their help and patience with myself and Ruth Compton picking their brains. Teuns Fraser, Head Coach, Simon Botha and Jessica Henderson. We hope to see them all in Cyprus in 2011 at the next Atlantic Championships.
As always, there are photos on the main website, www.spanishbowlssquad.com
Written by Pat Metcalfe Spanish National Coach.
"SPAIN v ENGLAND"
"ENGLAND 'A' GETS A GOOD WORK OUT FROM ENGLAND 'B' COSTA DEL CHANNEL"
The Spanish Team started their campaign with 2 extra training sessions which proved to be invaluable. We had learnt a lot from the Test Match against Wales and practiced some important aspects of playing the sets game. Because the mindset is totally different from the normal game format, you need to be on your toes from the outset. We had a half day at Monte Mar BC and a whole day at Bonalba BC plus the official training session at Emerald Isle BC. We would like to thank the Clubs involved for the use of their greens and equipment. Without the help and support of the Clubs we would not be able to train to the high standard we have achieved. On the first day Perry the Peregrine Falcon, and his Team prepared for the ensuing games with their normal warm up. We were honoured by the presence of the President of the Federation in Madrid Sr. Jose Luis Boto and fellow Executive Committee member Sr. Luis Fernando Garandillas. The opening ceremony started with the National Anthems being played and the players introduced. Spain: Women - Sabrina Marks, Sheri Fletcher, Debbie Colquhoun, Jan Dando, Ann Eagle and Yvonne Briden.
Men - Russell Marks, Tony McKenna, Paul Brown, Mick Johnson, Dominic Mills and Joe Stamper.
England: Women: Ellen Faulkner, Sian Gordon, Sandy Hazell, Natalie Melmore, Amy Monkhouse and Jamie Lea Winch.
Men: Stuart Airey, Mark Bantock, Mervyn King, Robert Newman, Graham Shadwell and Sam Tolchard.
The first session started with 6 pairs. Spain got of to a good start winning 3 and losing 3.
Just before lunch, President Sr. Jose Luis Boto made the presentation of a Plaque to commemorate the event, to John Bell, the England Team Performance Director. John then reciprocated and presented Sr. Jose Luis Boto with a Plaque from England. Perry looked on in amazement, thinking, let’s hope we have more of this in the future.
After lunch the first session of the afternoon started with 6 Singles and 2 Triples. Spain won 2 Singles. Joe Stamper beat Sam Tolchard in 2 straight sets and Jan Dando beat Ellen Faulkner in a tie breaker, lost 4 and also lost both Triples. 4 out of 8 games went to Tie Breaks. The second session was also 6 Singles and 2 Triples. Again Spain won 2 Singles. Paul Brown beat Mervyn King in a tie breaker and Sabrina Marks beat Sian Gordon in a tie breaker, lost 4, also losing both Triples. 3 out of 8 games went to Tie Breaks.
Spain was up against one of the Top Countries in the World and a very young squad, Jamie Lea Winch is just 19 yrs old, and had all the experience of playing at World Bowls level. Before coming to Spain, England had been in India and Australia. Stuart Airey and Mervyn King won the Australian Open Pairs. Graham Shadwell was runner up in the Australian Open Singles. Mark Bantock, Graham Shadwell and Robert Newman won the Men's Triples Gold Medal in the Test Tournament in Delhi and Jamie Lea Winch, Sandy Hazell and Sian Gordon won Women's Triples Gold. Spain kept their heads held high and did themselves proud. They played their best against the best. Some brilliant bowls and fantastic shots being played by both sides kept the spectators glued to their seats. The second day started with another presentation. John Bell had told Spain Manager Nick Bunbury, the day before, that he had forgotten his hat. Nick decided he would help John out. That night Nick bought a hat and presented it to him before the games started. It matched his England outfit perfectly even though it sparkled in the sun. Very pleased with his new item of clothing, John wore it all morning and when comments were made, he said, “When you have style you can wear anything”. It kept the sun off him very well. The first session started with 4 Triples. England won all 4 with some of the sets being lost by 1 or 2 shots. After lunch the second session started with 4 Pairs and 4 Singles. Spain won 2 and lost 2 in the pairs. Won 1 and lost 3 in the Singles. The third and last session was the same, with 4 Singles and 4 Pairs. The ends in the sets were reduced to 7 instead of nine because of the time set for the closing dinner. Spain won 1 Singles and lost 3 and won 1 Pairs and lost 3. Most games being very close in the sets. Would we have won them over the 9 ends? Who knows.
The final overall result was 12 games to Spain and 30 games to England.
At the closing dinner, Graham Marlow thanked everyone for their support and co-operation in getting this Test Match organised. Thank you to the Umpires and Markers who gave up their time. A special thank you to President June and Keith Jones and the Emerald Isle Bowling Club for hosting the Match. John Bell, being a well known after dinner speaker, was coaxed onto the stage to respond. Well, John never misses a chance of some banter with the diners. This occasion was no different. He calls the Spanish Squad, “England B Costa Del Channel”. He said that he was impressed at the level the Spanish Team has risen to over the past couple of years. He also thanked the Team for making England work for their success and giving them a very good work out. He then presented Graham Marlow and John Muldoon, our new National Director, with an England tie. Nick Bunbury was also given an special England pin.
We were all given a bowls cloth from the England sponsor Comfitpro.
Before the start of the Test Match, Nick Bunbury asked the Team to predict what Spain’s winning margin would be, but he wouldn’t say what his prediction was. He later informed the Team that he had predicted 30% and that is exactly what we achieved. As far as the Spanish Team are concerned, they did very well.
As the National Coach for Spain I would just like to say that since The Atlantic Games in South Africa 2009, the Spanish Squad have improved their overall ability and skill to play at the top level in World events. It was very unfortunate that Tony McKenna & Sabrina Marks did not get to Australia for the World Cup due to the Volcanic Ash situation. I am absolutely positive they would have come back triumphant. I am so proud of our Squad I now know how Jose Marino feels. I also speak for the general management of the Spanish National Bowls Team, and that includes, of course, the Team mascot
Perry the Peregrine Falcon. Well done to everyone.
We would like to wish England Good Luck when they go to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October. I am sure they will come back with a few medals.
Written by Pat Metcalfe
Spanish National Team Coach
"The International Scene"
The Spanish Team has had notable successes and disappointments during the past year.
Between the 4th and 16th of May last year we took part in the Atlantic Championships 2009 held at the impressive Wanderers complex in Johannesburg, although the condition of the greens were not as impressive as the Club House, which has to be the finest that we have seen anywhere in the world.
We arrived in South Africa a week early to acclimatise to the rarefied atmosphere of 6000 feet above sea level and to get in some serious practice against local District and Provincial teams kindly arranged by our friends at our Host club Jeppe Quandam.
Due to major infrastructure work taking place at the time for the forthcoming football World Cup 2010 it was suggested that the road works would mean travelling to and from our Bowls South Africa recommended Hotel could take 2 hours each way and I therefore moved the Team to a private Lodge where we took all the available rooms and it proved to be a great bonding experience as we all lived cheek by jowl for the week and had many lively and entertaining evenings winding down from the strenuous activities of the day. As Johannesburg is rightly known as the most lawless City in the world we were advised not to venture out at night. Even the locals don’t drive after dark and their homes are effectively security-guarded prisons, not a good feeling! We then moved to the City Lodge Hotel for the Tournament to start and joined Canada, the Netherlands, Brazil and Israel. It was just as well Israel stayed at our Hotel as their security was intense and no one was allowed on board the coach until it had been checked for explosives etc. Equally, some of their team travelled with the security car, which followed, otherwise there wouldn’t have been sufficient space as Bowls South Africa only provided seats for 70 when 77 were needed, but that’s another story!
In the end the Ladies qualified for World Bowls 2012 in Adelaide Australia and disappointingly the Men missed out due to a number of factors that went against them, notably a change of how points were awarded from the last time, because a team had allegedly thrown a game to allow an easier passage into the knockout stages, something that has happened again just recently when New Zealand were caught cheating which effectively put Canada out of a recent competition and subsequently the New Zealand team were banned for 6 months. The points system has been changed again purely to stop teams cheating and I thought Bowls was a friendly sport!!
Another factor was after rain curtailed a day’s play and after 14 ends the games were declared finished at that point by the Championship Committee. The Men were leading Scotland by 19 shots to 10 and Scotland congratulated us on a good win and advancing to the quarter finals, with enough points to qualify! Lo and behold, we learned to our amazement that overnight the U.S.A. had appealed against the decision and the World Bowls Committee had overturned the previous decision (The Committees were virtually the same!!) U.S.A. had thought that they could qualify from the Tournament but everybody else knew they could only do so from the Asia Pacific, good old U.S.A. so their appeal cost us a qualifying place as Scotland came out to finish the match under dubious circumstances and eventually won the match on the last end with a miracle shot. That again is another story!!
Between the 2nd and 4th of October last year Spain’s Men entertained the City of London who came with an impressive array of current and ex Internationals and they took Spain a little more lightly than proved wise and were soundly beaten 17 points to 7.
Between the 10th and 11th of November we travelled to Portugal, who have never had much success against Spain but this time was to prove different! Spain always get of to a slow start and normally rally during the second day to take the spoils comfortably but Portugal dug deep and we had to win 7 of the last 8 games to win overall, a task that looked beyond us, but after a couple of team changes Spain rose to the occasion and won with the last wood of the last end of the last game. Some finish!! I don’t want to go through that again.
Lastly, we entertained Guernsey’s Commonwealth games team during the period 20th to 21st February this year to give them some much needed practice on our greens at Emerald Isle, which have a similar surface to that being laid in Delhi India.
Although Guernsey piped Spain’s Men to a place in World Bowls 2012 by a single point in Johannesburg revenge was sweet as both the Men and Ladies performed magnificently to run out comfortable winners by 24 games to 7 with one halved.
You can see full reports and scores for all the above Test matches on our website www.spanishbowlssquad.com and I invite you to do so as there are details of forthcoming Test matches against both the full Commonwealth Games Teams of Wales and later, England. Never have Spain played host to such talent and I implore you to come and support us and witness Bowls at it’s best.
Best wishes to you all and hope that your dreams are fulfilled during the Valencian Championships.
See you on the green.
Nick R Bunbury
Manager Spanish International Lawn Bowls Team
May 2010.
