Fenland bowls player follows in brother’s footsteps to clinch national title
A TEENAGE bowls player followed in his older brother’s footsteps on Sunday when he became a national junior champion.
Edward Elmore, 15, clinched the English Under-18s Short Mat Bowls Singles Championship after beating David Hancock 14-10 in the final. His 21-year-old brother Robert won the same title in 2006.
The Doddington star’s success at Kempston Indoor Bowls Club in Derby means he is the third Cambridgeshire player to win the title. Steven Redhead picked up the crown in 1995.
Edward said: “My aim this year was to get past the quarter-finals stage as that is the furthest I’ve ever got.
“I’ve always wanted to equal Robert’s achievement so I’m absolutely over the moon to have won. Now I want to focus on becoming the first person to ever retain the title.”
Edward beat Greg Puttock, Charlotte Clark and Chris Jeffrey in the group stages before disposing of AJ Brown, Matthew Jackson and Mitchell Young on his way to the final.
Proud brother Robert said: “I always thought Edward would get there one year. The final was so nerve-wracking to watch because it went to an extra end but Ed held his nerve.
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“I’m not surprised he won as he has had a very good indoor bowls and short mat bowls season winning many club and county games and he’s continually improved.
“Me winning the title made him want to do it even more so there was always going to be pressure on him.
“Hopefully he will now go on to become the first person to ever retain the title.”
The pair’s mother, Pauline, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to pieces about Edward winning. It’s incredible what they’ve both achieved and we’re so proud of the pair of them.”`
