The major competitions of the Crown Green season 2023 got underway with the Welsh Ladies Merit held at Old Colwyn Bowling Club. The weather was ideal and there was a good crowd.

Entry this year was well up from 2022 with 18 ladies playing for the trophy. WCGBA President, Jack Hunt hosted the day by getting each game underway.

Referee DT Evans was ably assisted throughout the event by Alan Davies and Richard Heywood.

There were two preliminary matches one between Sian Ollerton and Marie Hallett and the other between Kelly Davies and Amanda Nicholas. Sian and Marie’s game was pretty close by the end with Sian winning 21-18. Amanda was on good form to take her prelim game 21-6.

Sian and Amanda then met in the remaining 16. It looked as though Amanda was set for another single figure win at 7-0 up as the game started. Sian took a few ends back to go 14-9 down. Eventually Amanda forged ahead to win 21-18.

Jess Lacey and Linda Kirkham also had an excellent game. Jess was to lead away convincingly and was 12-3 up. Linda dug in and edged back to 12-11. Both players reached 18 across before Jess clinched the game 21-19.

Kelsey Morgan Rowlands met Linda Williams in her first game. Although down at the start, Kelsey bowled to make it 13 across after some excellent woods. She was soon in the lead 20-16 before Linda scored the vital few to make it 21-20 to Linda.

In Tracey Over’s game with Ashley Zepeda, Tracey made Ashley work hard for every point. Final score was 21-14 to Tracey. In the other games Caron Riley beat Carol Edwards 21-18, Caroline David beat last year’s winner, Aileen Coleman, in a close 21-20, Katelyn Roberts beat Ann Banks 21-6 and Kirsty Jones beat Olwen Edwards 21-19.

In the quarter finals, Tracey Over continued to play the green well against Linda Williams. Linda then went on to show the true champion she is and won 21-6. Amanda met young Jess. Both are seasoned Welsh County players and the game was close until Amanda won 21-19. Caron Riley and Caroline David had a good steady game with Caroline winning in the end 21-19. In the last game of the round, Kirsty Jones played well against Katelyn to win 21-14.

The first Semi Final between Linda and Amanda saw Linda stay ahead all the way to a 21-12 win. It was the same result in the second Semi with Caroline David beating Kirsty 21-12.

Caroline David had played the green exceptionally well throughout the day. Meeting Linda in the final must have felt like a masterclass in ladies bowling. Despite some really stunning efforts by Caroline, Linda was to take the title again with a 21-5 win.

Wales has three qualifiers for the British Ladies Merit which will be played later in the summer. They are Linda Williams, Caroline David and Amanda Nicholas.

Photo shows winner Linda Williams with President, Jack Hunt.