🏆National Finals Round-Up

🏆 Northumberland at the 2025 Aviva National Finals

📍Royal Leamington Spa 13–31 August 2025

Over 19 unforgettable days, Northumberland’s bowlers brought grit, grace, and green-side brilliance to the Aviva National Finals. From debutants to seasoned champions, the squad delivered performances that stirred the soul and filled the stands with cheers.

🌟 Early Momentum (Days 1–3)

• Day 1: A flying start with nine wins across disciplines. Brian Davidson (2 Bowl Singles) and Gren Richardson & Bob Mcavelia (Over 60s Pairs) powered into the quarter-finals.
• Day 2: O 60 Pairs debut delight as Gren & Bob reached the National Final, while junior pairs bowed out in extra-end heartbreak.
• Day 3: Gren & Bob claimed National Silver in a dramatic final—Northumberland’s first medal of the tournament.

💪 Fighting Spirit (Days 4–7)

• Day 4: The Balcomb Trophy team bowed out to Leicestershire in the semi-finals after a valiant effort.
• Day 5: Jimmy Curtis’ Senior Fours edged a nail-biting win into the last 16. Ann Ray’s women’s quartet gained valuable experience for future campaigns.
• Days 6–7: Tough exits for our Kacee Sultman (Junior Singles) and Men’s Senior Fours, but the torch passed to Matty Bishop in the Men’s Junior Singles.

🎯 Grit and Grace (Days 8–10)

• Day 8: Percy’s and Benfield’s Fours battled bravely despite tough luck. The men’s fours stepped up next.
• Day 9: Portland and St. George’s Dragons faced reigning champs and extra-end drama, both bowing out with heads held high.
• Day 10: Morpeth debuted against England internationals, while Alnwick delivered a thrilling win before falling to Gloucestershire.

🔥 Turning Up the Heat (Days 11–13)

• Day 11: Ashington exited the Triples, but Gosforth’s County Champs impressed with back-to-back wins over Essex and Lincolnshire.
• Day 12: A Super Sunday with 5 out of 6 wins! Yeomans’ trio dominated Dorset, Chapman & Green dazzled in their  pairs debut, and Proctor’s pair battled Durham. Yeomans advanced to the Triples Semi-Final, streamed live.
• Day 13: Chapman’s run ended with pride, Aitchison’s Pairs fell just short, and Yeomans faced a tough Northern derby. But the Triples Semi-Final was a showstopper—trailing 0-8, Northumberland roared back with a 10-shot surge and sealed a 21-13 win to reach the National Final!

🥈 Final Flourish (Days 14–16)

• Day 14:
  • Amy Dunton made a stellar debut in the Women’s Singles, winning 21-15 against IOW and later clinching a nail-biting 21-19 victory over Middlesex to reach the last 16.
  • In the Triples Final, Northumberland clawed back a six-shot deficit to lead by 1 with two ends to play. Despite holding last bowl, they dropped 2 on the final end—finishing as National Silver Medallists. A phenomenal achievement.

• Day 15:
  • Amy bowed out in the last 16 against a seasoned Berkshire opponent, ending a brilliant first campaign.
  • Alan Stewart and BJ (County Champion) both battled hard in the Men’s Singles. BJ’s 21-9 win over Suffolk and a nail-biting 21-20 victory over Yorkshire earned him a spot in the last 16.
• Day 16:

• BJ’s run ended in the last 16 against Bedfordshire—still a superb showing.
• Paul & Gary made history as Northumberland’s first entrants in the new Men’s Foundation Pairs, narrowly missing out on a tie-break in the quarter-finals.

Northumberland’s 2025 campaign brought home two silver medals, countless memories, and a growing reputation for excellence. For the third consecutive year, the county reached at least one National Final—proof that the momentum is building.

Whether you were on the green or cheering from the sidelines, your support made all the difference. And who knows—next year, it could be your name etched into the history books.

📌 Want to be part of the 2026 Finals?
Check your club notice boards and enter your Blue Riband events (Singles, Pairs, Triples & Fours) before the deadline. Let’s keep the legacy alive.

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