CORNWALL COUNTY SHORT MAY BOWLING ASSOCIATION - NEWS RELEASE 16th April 2023

CORNWALL COUNTY SHORT MAT BOWLING ASSOCIATION

NEWS RELEASE- 16th April 2023

Short Mat Players Tour - World Masters

Three local bowlers travel to Belfast this weekend for the final Short Mat Players Tour event of the season, the World Masters.  216 bowlers representing 8 countries are entered in the event which will sees them drawn in 36 groups of 6 for a round robin competition through Saturday and Sunday morning followed by a knockout competition on Sunday afternoon and evening.  The top two from each group will progress to the Cup, 3rd and 4th place to the Plate and 5th and 6th to the Shield competitions.

Newlyn Trinity's Nigel Nicholls goes into the event with a tour win rate of 69.75% and in 9th place in the SMPT World Rankings, 7th in this season's Order of Merit Standings and holding one of the four places for the England Team in August's 2023/4 season opening World Cup event.  Nigel is drawn in Group 5 where he faces Craig Burgess (ENG) (Rank 37 Win Rate 70%), Paul Duff (IRE) (104 - 70.10%), Robbie Foster (IRE) (199 - 52.86%), Paul Hogan (IRE) (481 - 33.33%) and SMPT newcomer Caolan Mchugh (IRE).  Additional stats can be found on the SMPT website at https://stats.shortmatplayerstour.com/group-compare.php?comp=52&group=05.

Holmans's Elise Daniell goes into the tournament with a win rate of 42.7% and is currently 40th in the World Rankings and 61st in the Order of Merit Standings.  Elise is drawn in Group 19 where she will face Daniel Sands (ENG) (33 - 60.13%), David Chittock (ENG) (217 - 28.7%), Hannah Cochrane (IRE) (323 - 62.07%), Stephan Mulholland (IRE) (527 - 41.27%) and Dean Craig (IRE) (703 - 5.56%).  Additional stats can be found at https://stats.shortmatplayerstour.com/group-compare.php?comp=52&group=19.

Holman's Peter Hore goes into the tournament with a win rate of 55.49% and is currently 43rd in the World Rankings and 81st in the Order of Merit Standings.  Peter is drawn in Group 34 where he will face Ian Hobson (IRE) (46 - 81.69%), Steven Burrows (ENG) (67 - 56.25%), Jaime West (IRE) (246 - 44%), Anja Ehmke (NOR) (399 - 22.22%) and Steven Jeffers (IRE) (527 - 34.83%).  Additional stats can be found at https://stats.shortmatplayerstour.com/group-compare.php?comp=52&group=34

On Friday Nigel Nicholls will also take part in the Belfast Open Pairs with Northamptonshire's Ed Sawbridge.

The Short Mat Players Tour website will carry comprehensive coverage of both events over the weekend at www.shortmatplayerstour.com.

ESMBA Inter County Championship

On Sunday the ESMBA Inter County Championship concluded with Dorset claiming the ICC title defeating West Midlands in the final.  Cheshire defeated Wiltshire to win the Premier Two title and promotion to Premier One next season replacing Hampshire who lost to Essex in the Premier One relegation match.  In the A Team Competition, Kent, who ended Cornwall's run, claimed the title defeating Hampshire.  If the ESMBA retains the same format next year the eight counties in the Premier One section will be Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Norfolk, Kent, West Midlands, Essex and Cheshire.

ENDS

Nicholas Truscott

Press and Promotions Officer

CCSMBA