Colchester Ladies Indoor Bowls Club are the new national champions of the English Women's Indoor Bowls Association.

They won the prestigious title in brilliant style playing at ISCA Indoor Bowls Club in Exeter in the finals of the David Bryant Bowls Tour.

The women played Leicester in the semi-final, but prior to the start of the game Colchester received a major setback when Kath Smith pulled out with a lung infection.

Peggy Howell also succumbed to a virus infection, so in came Gill Cousins and Molly Skilton with Maureen Mann also included, covering for Peggy Round, who was rested.

Putting these setbacks behind them, Colchester started their semi-final against Leicester and Brenda Brown's rink got off to a fine start going into an early lead, running out winners by 24-9 shots.

Gill Cousins rink was a sea-saw game before eventually losing by just 1 shot 24-25, Jean Foster's rink led all the way and won by four shots 18-14. Liz Tunn's rink sailed into the final by 15 shots. Colchester 81 Leciester 66.

Rink Details: (skips first):

Brenda Brown, Pam Smith, Maureen Mann, Pam Foley 24-9 (D Worster), Gill Cousins, Pam Smith, Frances Mitson, Joyce Foster 24-25 (C Percival), Jean Foster, Doreen Josh, Molly Skilton, Jan Cookson 18-14 (P Towers), Liz Tunn, Jill Nicholson, Sheila Townsend, Viv Youngs 15-18 (C Cheney). Reserves: Peggy Round and Di Honeywell

And so on to the final to face Croydon Ladies who had been in the finals on previous occasions.

Colchester started well going into a good lead and never looked back. Liz Tunn's rink were once again up against it.

Viv Young and Sheila Townsend found the green not to their liking and Jill Nicholson also found it hard to find the weight, but they fought all the way to lose by just two shots 18-20.

Jean Foster's rink were once again in good form with Jan Cookson and Molly Skilton who, always had Woods in the head and when Woods had to be taken out Doreen Josh did just that, Jean also had a very good skips game.

Gill Cousin's rink started like a house on fire going into a good lead, Joyce Foster and Frances Mitson were again in fine form, and at the back Pat Smith and Gill backed them up to run out with a big win of 13 shots 31-18.

Brenda Brown's rink also had a tremendous win of 26-12, Pam Foley lead well and was admirably backed up by Maureen Mann and Pam Smith, Brenda once again had a superb skip's game always encouraging her team.

Colchester Ladies ran out over all winners by 30 shots, 97 to 67.

The English Women's Indoor Bowling Association President, Mrs Liz Read presented the Yetton Trophy to Colchester Ladies Captain, Jenny Hymus with medals presented to all team members.

Rink details:

Liz Tunn 18, Brenda Brown 26, Gill Coursins 31, Jen Foster 22, C Templeman (Croydon) 20, T Barton 12, P Davis 18, P Ward 17.

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