Milford Haven’s visually impaired indoor bowler Jack Lloyd continued to enhance his already excellent status in his sport as he made the long journey the indoor arena in Glasgow for the bi-annual UK Visually Impaired Bowls Championships and made the long journey home with the coveted gold medal in the BI Gentlemen’s category for bowlers with no sight.
 

Working well with ‘Wooffy’

 
To focus on this major event, Jack had stopped playing the outdoor game early this summer and it clearly paid off.

“I had to take on two top English and two of the main Scottish bowlers in a round-robin format and I had terrific guidance from my long-time ‘director’ Geoffrey ‘Wooffy’ John, who does a great job of standing near the jack and calling out instructions about direction and weight of each delivery of each wood I bowl.
 
“He is a master tactician and a good motivator and it would be hard to play without his expertise.
 

Excellent play in ‘round robin’ format

 
“The games are played over a period of two hours or 21 ends and I was delighted to win my first three matches by 21-5, 19-6 and 21-6, which meant that I was already going to win gold before my final match.
 
“Perhaps I took my foot off the pedal a little but still won 15-8 and it was a proud moment for me when I received my gold medal because I had a bronze from 2013 and a silver in 2016 so now I have a smashing complete set amongst my mementoes.”
 

Well done Madeline and Steve

 
Joining Jack in the Welsh team were other Pembrokeshire bowlers in Madeline Roberts, another very experienced bowler, and Steve Whitmore, who was taking part in his first competition for Wales, accompanied by their directors Ken Watson and Olwyn Whitmore.
 
Madeline claimed one of the six 6 medals won by Wales as she brought home Bronze in the Ladies B4 category – so well done Maddie!
 
Steve didn’t make the podium but was this year’s most talked-about B3 bowler and deemed as ‘one to watch’.
 
The trio carried the Pembrokeshire Sporting Flag with distinction and their next challenge is to prepare for, and hopefully be selected, to represent Wales in  the outdoor UK V.I. singles championship in 2018.

PHOTOS:
The medal winners for Wales
Jack Lloyd and Geoffrey John
Jack receives his trophy