The Welsh Under-18 squad travelled to Royal Leamington Spa Bowling Club on 19–20 July to compete in the 2026 British Bowls Under-18 International Series. Representing Wales were Ruby Billingham, Eleanor Davies, Ellie Davies, Joseph Davies, Cara Dunne, Jack Evans, Owen Kent, Elijah Minett, Emma-Jayne Packwood, Oliver Price, Jack Rees, Sophie Regan, Jack Thomas and Ffion Stephens. The team was supported throughout the weekend by team managers Jamie Brown, Anwen Butten MBE and Steve Jackson.
The opening day featured three sessions of mixed triples competition against England, Ireland and Scotland. Wales began their campaign against hosts England, where Cara Dunne, Sophie Regan and Elijah Minett earned a hard-fought 16–16 draw with England’s E Mills, E Burke and D Williamson. Emma-Jayne Packwood, Jack Thomas and Ffion Stephens recorded Wales’ only rink victory with an excellent 13–10 success over S Wood, D Rampelt and A Holland. Ruby Billingham, Jack Rees and Oliver Price were defeated 24–8 by N Drummond, L Hodges and J Hodges, while Eleanor Davies, Jack Evans and Owen Kent lost 21–11 to L Murray, V Minter and M Murphy, as England claimed the overall match 9–3.
Wales returned to the greens in the afternoon to face Ireland. Despite the 10–2 overall defeat, the performance showed clear signs of improvement, with several close contests and plenty of positives to build upon. Emma-Jayne Packwood, Owen Kent and Ffion Stephens were beaten 22–10 by E Frazer, B Stirling and T Davison, while Ellie Davies, Joseph Davies and Oliver Price were narrowly edged out 16–15 by H McCulloch, I Nolan and J Kidd. Eleanor Davies, Jack Evans and Jack Thomas were defeated 21–16 by G Cassley, J Jamison and A Jones, but Cara Dunne, Sophie Regan and Elijah Minett produced an outstanding display to record an 18–9 victory over W Robson, E Frazer and D McElroy.
The final session of day one saw Wales take on Scotland in another mixed triples encounter. Jack Rees, Cara Dunne and Ffion Stephens were beaten 24–13 by C Buchanan, A Bharris and D Tait, while Ellie Davies, Joseph Davies and Oliver Price lost 21–14 to H McDermott, T Jamieson and S Murray. Eleanor Davies, Jack Evans and Jack Thomas produced an excellent performance to defeat R Orr, E Houston and K Dalrymple 22–16, while Ruby Billingham, Sophie Regan and Elijah Minett were defeated 17–11 by K McEwan, C Cadger and A McKechnie. Scotland secured the overall match 10–2, but Wales ended the opening day encouraged by several competitive performances and valuable experience gained against strong opposition.
Day two saw the format change to mixed pairs and mixed fours, beginning with a rematch against Scotland. Wales responded superbly to record their first overall victory of the weekend with an impressive 8–4 success. Joseph Davies and Ffion Stephens shared a 17–17 draw with C Buchanan and D Tait, while Cara Dunne and Jack Thomas produced an excellent 19–10 victory over A Harris and K Dalrymple. Eleanor Davies, Jack Rees, Jack Evans and Oliver Price were narrowly beaten 19–14 by H McDermott, E Houston, T Jamieson and S McCarry, while Ellie Davies, Sophie Regan, Owen Kent and Elijah Minett battled to an 8–8 draw against K McEwan, Z McEwan, C Cadger and A McKechnie. The strong all-round team performance earned Wales a deserved overall victory and provided a welcome confidence boost heading into the final two sessions.
Wales next faced hosts England in what proved to be an entertaining contest played in excellent spirit, with both teams displaying outstanding sportsmanship throughout. Joseph Davies and Ffion Stephens were beaten 18–14 by N Drummond and D Williamson, while Cara Dunne and Jack Thomas went down 21–11 to L Murray and V Minter. Ellie Davies, Sophie Regan, Owen Kent and Elijah Minett produced an excellent 16–13 victory over E Nolan, E Burke, M Murray and A Holland, but Eleanor Davies, Ruby Billingham, Jack Evans and Oliver Price were defeated 22–7 by E Mills, D Rampelt, L Hodges and J Hodges as England claimed the overall match 10–2.
The final session saw Wales take on Ireland, with the teams sharing the spoils in an evenly contested 6–6 draw. Cara Dunne and Jack Evans edged a thrilling contest 13–12 against E Frazer and T Davison, while Jack Rees and Ffion Stephens secured another victory, defeating E Frazer and D McElroy 13–11. Ellie Davies, Sophie Regan, Owen Kent and Elijah Minett completed another impressive performance with a 16–14 win over H McCulloch, J Jamison, I Nolan and J Kidd, while Eleanor Davies, Emma-Jayne Packwood, Oliver Price and Jack Thomas were beaten 16–10 by W Robson, G Cassley, B Stirling and A Jones.
Although the results did not always reflect the commitment and quality shown by the Welsh squad, the players demonstrated tremendous determination, resilience and teamwork throughout the weekend. The victory over Scotland and draw with Ireland on the final day highlighted the progress made across the series, with many encouraging individual and team performances against the strongest young bowlers from across the British Isles.
Congratulations go to England on retaining the British Bowls Under-18 International Series title. A sincere thank you also goes to the families, friends and supporters who travelled to Royal Leamington Spa to cheer on the Welsh team throughout the weekend. Congratulations to team captain Oliver Price and vice-captain Sophie Regan on their leadership across the event, while special thanks are extended to team managers Jamie Brown, Anwen Butten MBE and Steve Jackson for their commitment and support. The experience gained over the two days will undoubtedly benefit this talented group of young players as they continue their development in the Welsh performance pathway.