Spalding Indoor Bowls Club's Ollie Jeapes represents England at the British Isles Under 18 international series in Wales
Spalding Indoor Bowls Club's Ollie Jeapes had a series to remember when he represented England at the British Isles Under 18 international event in Wales.
Ollie was selected to lead the triples with Sam Brugnoli from Huntingdon and Charlie Beeton from Ipswich and was joined by Izzy Pymm from Melton in the fours.
And the 14-year-old came away with the gold medal in the triples while England secured team silver behind Scotland who won the series.
Ollie, Sam and Charlie started the series well with a straight sets win in the triples against Ireland (6-5, 13-0).
In the semi-final, they played Wales and were dominant in another straight sets win (10-3, 14-1) to book their place in the gold medal match against Scotland.
They continued their impressive form as they won the gold medal in the triples without dropping a set and won the final 8-1, 5-1.
Unfortunately, it didn't go as well for Ollie - who also practises at the indoor club in Stamford - in the fours as they lost against representatives from British Lions and Scotland but a win against Wales in their third game meant that they finished seventh in the fours.
The tournament proved a memorable experience for Ollie whose Spalding club-mates were full of praise for his achievements.
The club said: "Well done to Ollie and the rest of Team England.
"They should be very proud and we are sure that you will have more opportunities to represent your country in the future."
Fellow Spalding bowler, Annie Dunham, was in action on the world stage where she suffered championship heartbreak at Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton-On-Sea, in Norfolk.
Annie went through qualifying earlier in the season to book her place in the Ladies World Matchplay which also meant that she was partnered with one of the top eight men to play in the World Mixed Pairs event.
She played with David Gourlay against defending mixed pairs champions Ceri Ann Glen and Stewart Anderson.
Unfortunately, Annie and David found their opposition in top form and Glen and Anderson won 9-5, 8-5.
It didn't get any easier for Annie in the Ladies World Matchplay as she played defending and five-time champion Katherine Rednall.
Annie lost a high quality, closely contested encounter 1.5-0.5 (11-5, 6-6).
Although it was not the result she wanted, Annie fulfilled a childhood dream to play at the World Championships on the portable rink and certainly played her part in both games.
Spalding Lightning tasted success on Sunday as they progressed to the semi-final of the Egham Trophy with a win against Norfolk IBC in the last eight.
Lightning suffered an agonising extra end semi-final defeat against Huntingdon last season so will be hoping for better fortune this time around.
In the quarter final on Sunday, it was Norfolk who started the stronger of the two teams but Lightning showed their fighting qualities to bring the score back level at around 15 ends.
The comeback was finished off as Spalding Lightning won by four shots (84-80) which was mainly due to the home rink of Carole Nunney, Louise Harris, Stephen Harris and Mathew Orrey who won 29-12.
It was certainly a team effort though as Jordan Philpott’s rink came back from 7-18 down to win 26-24 while Dominic McVittie’s away rink drew after falling 2-11 down early on.
Although Graham Smith's rink found it tough and their opposition on top form, they certainly played their part as they won four of their last five ends.
Spalding's next test in the national semi-final is against Wellingborough at a neutral venue on Sunday, March 3.
Rink scores: Home - Carole Nunney, Louise Harris, Stephen Harris and Mathew Orrey won 29-12; Ruby Hill, Tracy Philpott, Simon Lilley and Jordan Philpott won 26-24. Away - Jean Patterson, Karen Martin, Martin Spencer and Dominic McVittie drew 17-17; Kevin Ekins, Julie Hicks, Chelsea Spencer and Graham Smith lost 12-27.