Norfolk Bowls Association’s annual county tour proved a major success on and off the green as the county side completed an unbeaten five-day trip to Bedfordshire.Tour manager John Mason hailed the week as a memorable occasion after Norfolk won all five fixtures while also enjoying a packed social programme and raising money for charity.The tour began on Monday when a party of 24 players travelled from Norwich’s County Arts Bowls Club to Luton Bowls Club for the opening match.The Norfolk team at WilsteadNorfolk made an immediate impression by winning on four of the six rinks and claiming a convincing 109-73 success.Top rink honours went to Charlie Evans, John Mason, Paul Brandon and Terry Hartley, who produced a dominant 26-10 victory.Following the match, the tourists travelled to their hotel in Letchworth, which served as their base for the rest of the week.Action shot at KempstonTuesday’s itinerary included a stop at the Shuttleworth Collection before the afternoon fixture against Wilstead Bowls Club.Players spent two hours exploring the attraction’s vintage aircraft, cars and motorcycles before returning to bowling action. Norfolk continued their impressive form with a comfortable 127-88 win at Wilstead. Barry Bond, Peter Cottee, Chris Reynalds and Pete Deeley starred with a superb 27-4 triumph after conceding just four shots.NBA president Chris Rowe on the footplate of a steam train at Leighton BuzzardThe tourists enjoyed another excursion on Wednesday with a visit to the Leighton Buzzard Steam Railway.Players travelled along the three-mile route before being shown around the locomotive sheds.Rain later interrupted the afternoon clash with Linslade Bowls Club, forcing the match to be shortened. Despite difficult wet conditions, Norfolk still emerged ahead 79-72. Graham Benefer, Malcolm Nicholson, Rollie Cawdell and Pete Deeley were the top rink in a 21-6 victory, although Linslade provided the county side with their sternest test up to that point.Thursday’s warm-up match against Kempston Bowls Club again went Norfolk’s way as they adapted well to a more difficult surface to secure a 124-79 success. Harry Geary, Steve Jones, Paul Brandon and Barney Wymer recorded the biggest rink win of the tour with a remarkable 35-5 scoreline.The week concluded with the main event against Bowls Bedfordshire at Maulden Bowls Club. Having won all four previous matches, Norfolk knew they faced a tougher challenge, and Bedfordshire made the stronger start. However, Norfolk gradually fought back on what players described as a superb surface, edging ahead end by end before sealing a 102-93 victory.Barry Bond, Steve Jones, Alan Bewson-Nutt and Mick Harvey led the way with a 21-8 rink success.NBA president Chris Rowe praised both the bowling and social side of the trip and revealed £520 had been raised for his charity of the year.“This result has topped off a great and memorable week,” he said. Five players remained unbeaten throughout the tour – Peter Cottee, Paul Brandon, Graham Benefer, Pete Deeley and Malcolm Nicholson, with Nicholson also collecting the Player of the Tour award.Mason thanked the players and host clubs for their support and said plans were already underway for the 2027 tour, which will take place from May 17-21.Anyone interested in joining next year’s tour or seeking further information can contact John Mason on 07730 281318 or by email at johnmasonk2@gmail.comWe have launched a twice-weekly newsletter covering sport in Fenland and West Norfolk.To subscribe, visit: https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/newsletterNBA president with Bowls Bedfordshire president Keith JonesNorfolk players relaxing with Chris Reynalds (Downham Market) front right and Max Harrison (Downham Market) second left.
Norfolk unbeaten on tour
