Northumberland U25 Men Show Fantastic Grit in White Rose Campaign

The Under-25 Men’s team put on a superb display of determination and character in this season’s White Rose Trophy group stages. Facing a tough set of fixtures against the region’s top sides, the squad showed true competitive spirit, proving that they have the heart to battle hard until the final end.

Shaking Off a Tough Start

The tournament opened with a challenging clash against a sharp Durham side, who took a 29–22 win. Following a Game 2 bye, Northumberland faced another tough test against a strong Yorkshire team, falling 29–19.

With two losses under their belt, lesser squads might have let their heads drop—but this Northumberland side dug deep to show exactly what they are made of in the later rounds.

The Big Breakthrough

Game 4 saw the squad deliver a spectacular performance against Cumbria. In a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat battle, Northumberland played brilliant tactical bowls to edge out a fantastic 24–21 victory, securing a massive 4 points and proving their ability to match anyone on the green when under pressure.

In the final game against Lancashire, the team fought all the way to the end. While Lancashire managed to claim the aggregate shot win 24–13, Northumberland’s resilience across the rinks allowed them to successfully claw back 2 valuable points from the match.

A Foundation to Build On

While a dominant Durham side took the top spot in the group, Northumberland’s fighting performances—particularly their standout victory over Cumbria—highlighted the incredible potential within our youth ranks.

This campaign has laid down a fantastic foundation for the future of Northumberland bowls. These young men have shown they have the talent and the drive as we look toward building our elite development squads for the coming seasons.

Want to be part of the next generation of Northumberland champions? The national youth pathways are open to players of all abilities. Contact Team Manager Matty Bishop (Men’s U25) or Rachel Cartwright (Women’s U25) to find out how to get involved in our upcoming U25 county squads!