What an amazing outing it turned out to be for some of our young bowlers at the BCGBA Junior Ladies and BCGBA Boys Individual merits at Owley Wood on Saturday 6^th of September.

Wales fielded an impressive eight players in this extension to the junior calendar with the introduction of an individual merit for the boys this year.

WCGBA Junior Merit winner 2025, Dyfan Thomas, had a nail biting route to the final, with both his quarter final and semi final matches going down to the wire before he made it 21-20 to win. In the final, it looked like it had all been too much as Dyfan found himself 19-9 down. You had to be there to see a jaw-dropping come back to go 19 across. Those final two points just slipped from his grasp and Dyfan took silver place in this inaugural competition 21-19.

If you thought the Junior Ladies would be less exciting, think again. The WCGBA Junior Runner-up to Dyfan, Lois Mae Jones, kept the dragon flying throughout her pathway to the final. Her closest game came in the semi final with Holly Jenkins where she won 21-19. Holly looked sure to get to the final as she had played well all day. However, Lois had other ideas and won 21-19. Unlike Dyfan’s match, Lois and her opposing finalist, Ava Hucknall, were neck and neck all the way. Neither players went too far in front before the other caught up. Once again, the title slipped from our grasp and Lois lost 21-19 – the exact same score as Dyfan.

Other junior Wales players had a mixed run for the most part. Dylan Pritchard progressed to the quarter final. Abbie Bennett and Ffion Gel had tough opposition, with Ffion meeting Ava Hucknall in the first round. Abbie just missed out 21-19. Cai Williams and Connor Edwards also played their best but were unable to progress from round one.

All these players displayed a maturity which was heartening to witness. A confidence in their game before a crowd, excellent sportsmanship and a social maturity many older players should envy. Next year looks like one to watch.