Norfolk Under-18s claim national tenpin bowling crown with stylish victory
Norfolk Under-18s have won the Junior Inter-County Championships. They are, from left, Jason Chown, Patrick Gregory, Kyle Crummet, manager Karl Chown, Alex Pates, Ed Benton and Robert Cater. - Credit: Submitted
Norfolk's under-18 boys team have been celebrating after winning the English Junior Inter-County Championships.
The team-of-six travelled to Tolworth in south London to compete against some of the best young bowlers the UK has to offer and lifted the trophy.
The team, managed by Karl Chown, was made up of Jason Chown, Patrick Gregory, Kyle Crummet, Alex Pates, Edward Benton and Robert Cater.
After taking control with a huge score on the first day, Norfolk returned on day two to continue their charge to the final but struggled to maintain the lead and after eight games of qualifying were placed second going into the knockout stage.
Staffordshire were beaten 845-817 in the quarter-finals and Lincolnshire were beaten in the semi-finals with 80 pins to spare, after a particularly strong ninth and tenth frames, in a 952-864 victory.
With plenty of vocal support, Norfolk then went into the final against last year's winners Warwickshire.
Right from the start the Norfolk lads took the game by the scruff of the neck and started to open up a lead and, with Warwickshire starting to buckle under the pressure, Norfolk won by 99 pins. Kyle Crummett said of the success: 'Huge well done and thanks to all the lads, it was by no means the best we've bowled but when others bowled as individuals we bowled as a team.
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'Through those three games we all helped each other out and pushed our games up. Lads we were immense and we deservedly won. Big shout out to Karl (Chown) for putting the team together. Throughout the day we all kept our heads up and helped each other out – that's why we came out on top.'
Also representing Norfolk was an under-18s girls team, who unfortunately didn't make the final eight to qualify for the knockout stages but have many years ahead to try again as they were the U15 team playing at U18 level.
Do you have a local sport story? Contact sports reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk.
