Sarah shines on dream debut with a triple medal bonanza
BRIGHT START: Sarah Gove with two of her medals from this years British Isles Mixed Under-18s Championships MNJP-05-11-12 MW018. Picture Mark Westley.
Teenager Sarah Gove announced her arrival on the international bowls scene after helping England land three medals.
At this year’s British Isles Mixed Under-18 Championships the 17-year-old England debutante from Lakenheath made an immediate impression at the competition staged in Stanley, near Newcastle, after bagging two golds and a silver medal.
Taking on teams from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands, Gove, who booked her place in the England second team after impressing selectors in a qualifying tournament in Rugby, took golds in the fours and overall standings, and a silver in the triples.
“Sarah bowled very well in the trials and was over the moon to hear her name called out at Rugby, it nearly brought a tear to my eye,” said her father Rick Gove. “I was confident as you could be of Sarah performing well up at Stanley.
“Although England were favourites to win, it was a bit of a surprise the second team won the whole thing overall, but Sarah and her team-mates played very well throughout.”
Having defeated the Scotland first team 8-4, 11-7 in the final of the fours, England were only denied taking away three gold medals after a tie-break defeat in the triples to Ireland.
Losing the first end 5-3, England battled back to take the second 7-6 and force the match into a tie-break. But it was not to be with Ireland taking the decider 1-0.
“The final against Ireland was a really good one and could have gone either way, but the Irish skip was a powerful lad whose tactic to fire into the other bowls came off on the day,” added Gove.
Next up for the West Row Bowls Club member will be the defence of her regional title in the National Under-21 Ladies Singles competition at Peterborough on December 9.
“With her recent England appearance and going in as the defending champion, she will be the player all the girls will want to beat,” said Gove.
“Fingers crossed Sarah can hold on to her regional title and make it through to the national final.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Newmarket
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North
