Neil Davidson of Hempnall, Jack Marshall of Wymondham and Chris Mann of Wymondham are the new English National Triples Champions after a superb performance by all three in the final against the top Hampshire triple of Paul England, James Bucknall & Ben Pay. After the Norfolk triple took a single on the first end Ben Pay’s triple hit back taking three shots on the second end after a great last bowl by the Hampshire skip took out the holding Norfolk bowls. Neil Davidson drew in two good bowls on the third but the Hampshire number two did the business to turn the end round. But Chris Mann attacked and clipped the jack across the mat and his triple took two shots to level the game at 3-3. On the fourth end a brilliant attacking bowl by Jack Marshall scattered the Hampshire woods but two well drawn bowls by Hampshire saw them retake the lead by 5-3. The fifth end though proved to be the turning point in Norfolk’s favour. Neil Davidson took advantage of two loose woods by the Hampshire lead and both Jack Marshall and Chris Mann consolidated, two attacking bowls failed to save the day for Hampshire and Mann’s triple picked up five shots for an 8-5 lead. More agony was to come for Hampshire on the next end as Chris Mann played a perfect attacking shot to ultimately earn his triple four more shots for a 12-5 lead. On the seventh end good lead woods by Davidson laid the foundation for another great end and again Marshall was right there as well. The Hampshire skip twice hit the block trying to attack and the score moved to 15-5 and the game was as good as over at that point. It was a brilliant performance by the Norfolk triple who can be proud of a stunning display and Chris Mann skipped the triple to perfection calling all the right shots as well as playing some killer woods. Mann's triple won all their games in Group 4 before beating top North Yorks triple Lee Toleman, Bronagh Toleman & Lawrence Moffat in the last 32 knock-out stage. Victories against triples from Avon, Humberside and West Sussex followed as they claimed their place in the final. At one point it seemed like an all Norfolk final was on the cards until Steve Bridge, David Lamb & Gary Best lost by just one shot to Steve Duffin’s North Yorks triple in the quarter-finals after five straight wins had made them one of the favourites. Mike Smail, Bryan Preece & Tony Ottewell went out at the last 32 stage losing 14-4 to Jody Frampton’s Kent triple. Janet Pinchen, Terry Newby & Karl Newby lost all three games in their group and failed to qualify for the knock-out stages.
We are the Champions! England's new National Triples Champions Neil Davidson, Jack Marshall & Chris Mann.