Despite having two years off owing to the pandemic, members of Pembrokeshire Disabled Bowlers didn’t let that affect them.  The year started with gold, silver and bronze medal wins at the Welsh Learning Disabilities’ Pairs Championship in February. Andrew Roberts and James Tyler played in the L2 category. Amy Barrett, Gwawr Harries, Danny Pullin, Jack Wood and Ben Sanders played in the L3 category representing Pembrokeshire and supported by Directors on the green: Madeline Roberts, Stephen and Olwyn Whitmore.




Front row (L to R): Amy Barrett, Jack Wood, Danny Pullin and Ben Sanders. (Back row L to R): James Tyler, Gwawr Harries and Andrew Roberts
 
 
In April one of PDBC’s visually impaired bowler; Jack Lloyd represented Wales, competing in the Para-bowls indoor Home Nations’ games in Solihull with Pembrokeshire V.I. bowler Richard Parker as his director. 



Director Richard Parker, just left of centre in front row and V.I. bowler Jack Lloyd just left of centre in back row.
 
Also, in April, L3 bowlers Amy Barrett, Gwawr Harries and L2 bowler Andrew Roberts joined nine other bowlers from across Wales to represent their country in the Learning Disabilities Indoor Bowls International Series (LIDIBIS) tournament in Cardiff against England and Scotland. They bowled in a combination of matches; singles, pairs and triples over two days and won bronze. They were supported on the green by their directors.




(L to R 2022 Team): Captain Naomi, with the Pembrokeshire members of the Welsh team; Gwawr Harries, Andrew Roberts, Amy Barrett all pleased with their bronze medals and directors: Olwyn Whitmore, Madeline Roberts and Stephen Whitmore behind them.
 
In October Jack Lloyd, director Ray Lillycrop, Madeline Roberts with director Stephen Whitmore and Gordon Harries and director Olwyn Whitmore represented Wales in the UK V.I. indoor singles tournament in Glasgow.  The event was held over two and a half days. Jack won Silver in his B1 category, Gordon won Bronze in the B3 category and Madeline narrowly missed out on Bronze in the B4 category.





Front row, from the left: Gordon Harries, Olwyn Whitmore, Madeline Roberts, 6 from the left; Ray Lillycrop with Jack Lloyd next to him. (Back row, 1^st on the left): Stephen Whitmore.
 
In December PDBC had eight bowlers representing Pembrokeshire in the Welsh Learning Disabilities Singles competition.  The two-day event was held in Cardiff. Bowlers are placed in categories according to their bowling ability and then were put into divisions to play their matches.  Amy Barrett, Andrew Roberts and Gwawr Harries, affectionately coined ‘competition veterans’ were joined by the club’s newbies: David John, George McCreath, Henry Mack and Mark Oxley.  Despite nerves jangling, all bowlers played the best they could.  Amy won Silver and Ben won gold in their L3 divisions. Andrew won Silver in his L2 division. 

Gwawr won silver in her division, played a semi-final and final taking the title of overall L3 category winner. Mark won silver in his L4 division; David won Silver in his L4 division. George won Gold in his division, played a semi-final and final he was overall runner up in L4 category.  Henry won gold in his division, played a semi-final and final taking title of overall L4 category winner.  Directors Mike Oxley, Richard Parker, Madeline Roberts, Stephen, and Olwyn Whitmore were over the moon with the bowlers achievements.  “It was a pleasure to help them on the green.”





(Front row L to R): Henry Mack, Mark Oxley, Madeline Roberts, Gwawr Harries, Ben Sanders, Amy Barrett, Stephen Whitmore.  (Back Row L to R): George McCreath, Olwyn Whitmore, David John, Andrew Roberts, Mike Oxley and Richard Parker
 
The results show that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and practice.
The committee members of Pembrokeshire Disabled Bowlers Club continue to be amazed by the achievements of its bowlers.  They would also like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to parents who support the bowlers, all the local organisations and people who have supported and donated to the club as it makes attending all the competitions possible. Roll on 2023!