Norfolk achieved an incredible and historic win at the weekend winning the British Isles Top Team Challenge title in Belfast. It is the first time an English county had won the title in Ireland who have dominated the sport of short mat bowls for so many years. It was the third time that Norfolk had earned the right to represent England in the event against the reigning Irish and Welsh champions and although you could say it was third time lucky there was nothing lucky about the way Player-Manager Jack Pye and his team went about their task. They started the weekend with a stunning 10-2 points victory against Ireland’s Western Zone in the team event winning four of the six games and earning the six bonus points with an overall 60-56 shots margin. Highlights of the session included a 15-7 win for Gavin Gray, Neil Davidson, Morgan Warnes & AJ Pye, an 11-7 win for Sid Burton, Karl Newby, Simon Willies & Jason Woods, an 8-5 win for Robin Amos, Debbie Sparham, Chris Mann & Jack Pye and an 8-6 win for Kacy Suffolk, Simon Warnes, Keith Cooke & Jon Sparham. Then they went out and did it again with another 10-2 win against Pembrokeshire and this time won on shots by 57-41. In this game Kacy Suffolk, Simon Warnes, Keith Cooke & Jon Sparham won 10-7, Robin Amos, Debbie Sparham, Chris Mann & Jack Pye won by an impressive 15-3 margin, Gavin Gray, Neil Davidson, Morgan Warnes & AJ Pye won 11-6 and Sid Burton, Karl Newby, Simon Willies & Jason Woods won 10-7. In their first Top Team Individuals round against Pembrokeshire on Saturday honours were even with the final points tally at 8-8 although Norfolk scored an impressive 95 shots to Pembrokeshire’s 75. Ryan Fox won his singles game by 17-10, Debbie Sparham & Jack Pye produced a 15-8 pairs win and Sid Burton, Simon Willies & Jason Woods won by a superb 17-3 margin in the triples. Jon Sparham’s four drew their game 8-8 while AJ Pye’s triple drew 11-11. Norfolk’s first loss came in the second Individuals round against Ireland’s Western Zone where the home team won 10-6 on points although Norfolk scored 94 shots against Western Zone’s 87 shots. Norfolk won three of the eight games. Jack Marshall & Chris Willies won 19-11 in the pairs, Neil Davidson, Morgan Warnes & AJ Pye won their triples game by 16-7 while Sid Burton, Simon Willies & Jason Woods added another triples win by 15-7. On Sunday came another defeat to Western Zone in the Individuals section, but by just 9-7 on points while once again Norfolk scored more shots, 92 against the Irish total of 89. Chris Mann was on form in the singles with a 19-10 win, Debbie Sparham & Jack Pye won 14-12 in the pairs while Jack Gray, Chloe Suffolk, David Lamb & Gary Best won 12-7 in the fours. Jack Marshall & Chris Willies picked up a point in the pairs courtesy of a 15-15 draw. It was back to winning ways for Norfolk in the last Individual round against Pembrokeshire as they ran out 12-4 winners on points, 98-73 on shots. It was a great way to finish for Norfolk’s Ryan Fox as he won 16-9 in the singles. Maximum points were earned in the pairs as Jack Marshall & Chris Willies won 16-10 and Debbie Sparham & Jack Pye won 16-14. Norfolk were unbeaten in the triples with Gavin Gray, Simon Willies & Jason Woods winning 11-7 and Neil Davidson, Morgan Warnes & AJ Pye drawing 9-9. It was the same in the fours as Kacy Suffolk, Karl Newby, Jon Sparham & Keith Cooke won 12-4 and Robin Amos, Jack Gray, David Lamb & Gary Best drew 7-7. Norfolk sat out the last session knowing that Western Zone needed to beat Pembrokeshire on all mats, as well as overturning 83 shots, if they were to overhaul Norfolk but that was never a likely proposition. Norfolk finished as worthy winners of the British Isles Top Team Challenge with 53 points with Ireland’s Western Zone runners-up on 43 points. Pembrokeshire finished on 36 points. Afterwards Norfolk Player-Manager Jack Pye said that he “Couldn't be prouder of each and every team member. Every single person played their part in a historic win! First English County to win on Irish soil. Phenomenal standard of bowls across the entire competition!”
Norfolk - British Isles Top Team Champions 2025. At the front Assistant Manager Gary Best and Manager Jack Pye
Back row AJ Pye, Gavin Gray, Robin Amos, Neil Davidson, Chris Mann, Jack Gray, Keith Cooke, David Lamb, Simon Willies, Sid Burton, Simon Warnes, Jon Sparham, Ryan Fox Front row Chris Willies, Morgan Warnes, Chloe Suffolk, Kacy Suffolk, Jack Marshall, Karl Newby, Jason Woods, Ray Lamb, Debbie Sparham