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Swale Indoor Bowls Club members star at British Isles Championships

05:57, 28 March 2023

updated: 05:59, 28 March 2023

Four Swale bowlers are thought to have made history with their exploits at the British Isles Championships in Scotland.

Wendy King, Sandy Hazell and Paige Dennis teamed up to win the ladies’ triples - 10 years on from their previous success together in the competition.

Sandy Hazell, Paige Dennis and Wendy King, British Isles triples winners.
Sandy Hazell, Paige Dennis and Wendy King, British Isles triples winners.
Flashback to 2013 when Sandy Hazell, Paige Dennis and Wendy King last won the British Isles triples.
Flashback to 2013 when Sandy Hazell, Paige Dennis and Wendy King last won the British Isles triples.

King and Hazell also won the pairs, while Harry Goodwin took the under-25s men’s singles.

They qualified for the British Isles having won English titles.

It’s believed three British Isles titles for one club is a first in the competition’s history.

All three finals took place on Wednesday last week and were against bowlers from host nation Scotland.

“We’re not sure any club has won three British titles in one episode,” said Swale committee member Lewis King, who is Wendy’s son.

Harry Goodwin, British Isles under-25 singles winner.
Harry Goodwin, British Isles under-25 singles winner.
Sandy Hazell and Wendy King, British Isles pairs winners.
Sandy Hazell and Wendy King, British Isles pairs winners.

“We don’t know for sure but not many have won multiple national titles, let alone three British Isles titles in one day. It’s some achievement.

“Speaking to my mum on Saturday evening, she was almost still in shock.

“She won with the same triple 10 years ago, and that was the only British Isles title she’d won, so to win two in a day - the pairs and the triples - was brilliant.

“It was tough going. The games were all very close, physically and mentally draining by the end of a four-hour game.

“They were over the moon. Shocked, but so grateful to win titles like that.

“For Harry, it was absolutely massive. He lost narrowly in the final last year and this was his last chance to win the under-25s, so he was really pleased.”

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