PRESTEIGNE’S Weale brothers ended a 16 year wait to regain the British Isles Bowls Championship in Scotland last weekend.
Welsh international and Commonwealth gold medalist Robert Weale was joined by siblings David, Brian and Stuart in representing Wales in the fours competition at the British Isles Bowls Championship held at Sighthill Bowling Club in Edinburgh.
David expressed delight on behalf of the Presteigne brothers who have completed a hat-trick of victories at the major men’s bowling championship.
“It is a great feeling,” said David. “We last won it 16 years ago so to get our hands on the British fours title again is a massive achievement.”
The awesome foursome won the 2010 Welsh fours championship to secure the right to represent Wales in the 2011 British Championships, which began last Thursday.
Martin Pankhurst, Kevin Bane, Ian Miller and Richard Catton of Cambridge and County Bowling Club were representing England but proved no match for the Presteigne brothers, who celebrated a 27-15 victory.
The semi-final against Scotland was a much tighter affair, which saw Wales just hold their own.
The Scottish side of Gordon Prentice, Derek Campbell, Mark McGowan and Ian Campbell of Houldsworth Bowls Club enjoyed home advantage but ended up losing 22-21.
In the other semi-final hot favourites Ireland lost 18-17 to rank outsiders Guernsey.
“It was a bit of surprise,” said David. “We had been gearing ourselves up for the Irish but in the end Guernsey were worthy finalists.”
However the Channel Island side of Len Le Ber, Garry Collins, Gary Pitschou and Matt Le Ber were no match for the mighty Weales, with a 26-9 victory seeing them retain the trophy after a 16 year absence.
“It has become a family tradition,” said David. “Myself, Brian and Robert first entered the fours along with our dad Bill in 1984 and it is just something we have done since.
“It helps that the four of us are brothers I suppose, but despite playing for the same club we very rarely play on the same rink.”
The future of the Weale bowling dynasty looks secure with cousins Rhiannon, Tom and Jordan following their fathers into the sport.
Meanwhile Robert was joined by Machynlleth’s Andrew Fleming and Sion Jones and Mark Weaver of Montgomery in a 24 man squad for the British Isles Seniors International Series, which followed the British Isles Bowls Championship at Sighthill.
However Wales lost heavily in their opening match to England in a 125-89 defeat before falling to a 120-110 shot defeat to Ireland.
The wooden spoon was assured as Wales lost 115-108 to Scotland in their final game, with the host nation being crowned series champions.