Players from clubs in Ormskirk, Southport and Formby came together on Sunday for the annual Junior Bowls Merit competition.

Despite some intermittent rain just prior to play the Botanic Gardens greens were in good condition. There were 5 players competing in the 12 and Under age category and they played for the trophy in a round robin format with the person winning the most matches (all 15 up) taking the title.

There were some very close matches with Matthew Potter from the Scarisbrick Bowling Club and Harry Prescott from the Botanic Gardens Bowling Club leading the way. Matthew wove his magic in three of his four games, beating Brandon Deegan (Ormskirk BC) and Ellie McNeil (Botanic Gardens) to 7 and Lily Copeland (Ormskirk BC) to 4. However, he lost an important match to Harry 21-12. Harry also on three of his four matches, although not by quite as many points as Matthew, and it was this that handed the trophy to Matthew Potter.

In the main Merit competition 9 of the older players (16 & Under) did battle. Divided into two groups with the top two going through it was always going to be close. In the first group of 5 players, It was Archie Rimmer (Scarisbrick BC) that led the way, winning three of his four games and just pipping Jack Denning (Ormskirk BC), who also won three matches, on points difference. The second group was a real ‘group of death’ with strong bowlers Luke Sinnott (Formby SSC) and Matthew Gill (Ormskirk BC) vying for top spot – Matthew just pipping Luke with 3 wins and beating Luke 11-9. Luke finished strongly though with wins against Jazmin Jones (Ormskirk BC) and Connor Peake (Botanic Gardens BC), who was stepping up to the older age group after being runner up in the 12 & Under age group last year

On to the semis then and Mathew Gill beat his team mate, Jack Denning, 15-6. Luke Sinnott was given a slightly closer run for his money, and just overcame Archie Rimmer 15-12. This set up a titanic battle in the final between Matthew and Luke. There was some superb bowling with both players getting close to the block. However, whenever Matthew got close, Luke got closer and Luke managed to get his name on the trophy for the first time when he ran out 15-8.

It was a fantastic days bowling and all the competitors showed great sportsmanship throughout. With so many young bowlers competing the future of the sport locally is looking bright.