The 2026 British Bowls Championships were held at the National Centre for Bowling in Ayr, Scotland, from Tuesday 23 to Wednesday 24 June.
Welsh national champions from 2025 travelled to Ayr to represent Wales against the other Home Nations across a range of disciplines.
Wales’ only gold medal of the championships came courtesy of Merthyr West End Bowling Club’s Jasmine Staton, who was crowned British Under-25 Singles champion.
Having finished as runner-up in 2025, Jasmine returned determined to go one better. She opened her campaign with a 21-14 victory over England’s Izzie White before defeating Scotland’s Jessica Young 21-15 in the semi-final. In the final, played on A Green in front of a large Welsh following, Jasmine came from behind to edge Jersey’s Chloe Greechan 21-20 in a thrilling finish. Greechan also went on to claim silver in the Women’s Singles, making Jasmine’s achievement all the more impressive.
Wales also secured a silver medal in the Men’s Triples. Cross Keys BC’s Roger Harvey, Joe Mower and Danny Davies Jnr began with a dramatic 20-19 preliminary victory over England’s Simon Broom, Mark Perrott and Jamie Chestney, with Danny Davies Jnr producing crucial bowls late in the match. The Welsh trio then produced an outstanding semi-final performance, defeating Jersey’s Derek Boswell, Gus Hodgetts and Michael Rive 20-11. In the final they made a strong start against Scotland’s Peter Thomson, Andy Fury and Darren Burnett before the home side fought back to claim a 17-14 victory, leaving Wales with a well-earned silver medal.
In the Women’s Singles, Tenby’s Ysie White made a positive start against Jersey’s Chloe Greechan but was eventually defeated 21-17.
New Tredegar’s Connor Murphy represented Wales in the Men’s Singles against Scotland’s Iain McLean. Backed by a large travelling support, Connor produced an excellent performance on Green A, taking the match all the way and even holding game at one stage before narrowly losing 21-19. McLean would later go on to win the title.
In the Women’s Pairs, Berriew’s Isobel Jones and Caroline Taylor faced Scotland’s mother and daughter pairing of Lyn and Rebecca Houston, narrowly losing 18-14.
The Men’s Pairs also produced a close contest, with Rhys Jackson and Carl Wood losing 16-14 to Jersey’s Kevin Le Long and Michael Rive in the semi-final. The Jersey pair went on to claim silver.
Berriew’s Hazel Wilson, Isobel Jones and Kathy Pearce represented Wales in the Women’s Triples, where they were beaten 16-8 by England’s Caroline Cullum, Ruby Philpott and Chelsea Spencer.
Lampeter’s Eileen Lloyd, Maria Thomas, Anwen Butten MBE and Alis Butten competed in the Women’s Fours, losing 22-14 to England’s Sara George, Olivia Starr, Laura Holden and Stef Branfield.
In the Men’s Fours, Roger Harvey, Joe Mower and Danny Davies Jnr were joined by Ian Slade. They opened with a convincing 19-10 preliminary win over Ireland’s Eamonn Caruth, Robert Maher, Richard Leonard and Shane Leonard before facing Scotland in the semi-final. Despite a strong performance, Wales were beaten 20-13 by John Reid Jnr, Robbie Cuthill, Stewart McAlees and John Fleming.
The Women’s Over-55 Fours, represented by Berriew’s Nerys Lewis, Mary Garrett, Hazel Wilson and Kathy Pearce, were narrowly defeated after an extra end, eventually losing 18-16.
Presteigne’s Philip Holland, Brian Weale, David Weale and Robert Weale represented Wales in the Men’s Over-55 Fours. They produced an excellent display against Scotland in the semi-final before narrowly losing 21-18.
In the Women’s Under-18 Singles, Penylan’s Libby Harries represented Wales against Ireland’s B. Sterling, with the Irish player progressing 21-11.
Former champion Elijah Minett represented Wales in the Men’s Under-18 Singles but missed out on a place in the final after a 21-13 defeat to England’s Ollie Jeapes.
In the Men’s Under-25 Singles, Wales’ Luke Isles was narrowly beaten 21-16 by England’s Charlie Beeton, who went on to win the title.
The Women’s Under-25 Pairs saw Seren Jones and Jasmine Staton take on Scotland’s Megan Sproat and Rachel Pirie. Jasmine partnered Seren in place of Lauren Gowen, who was unavailable due to her selection for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. The Welsh pair were defeated 18-13.
In the Men’s Under-25 Pairs, Ewan Bevan and Jordan Driscoll represented Wales against England’s Kieran and Thomas Jaycock. The young Welsh duo produced a strong performance but were defeated 18-11.
Congratulations to Jasmine Staton on becoming British Under-25 Women’s Singles champion and to Roger Harvey, Joe Mower and Danny Davies Jnr on their silver medal in the Men’s Triples. Wales was represented with pride throughout the championships, producing several outstanding performances against some of the strongest players from across the British Isles.
Welsh Lawn Bowls President Richard W Davies was in attendance throughout the British Championships and International Series, offering valued support to both players and supporters.