Well done to Mandy Cresswell and Fran Harper-Green, of East Williamston Short Mat Bowls Club, who debuted for Wales recently, playing in the Ladies British Isles Championships, held at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Following trials in August and one squad practice this was the first ever all Ladies Short Mat Bowls squad for Wales. They faced Ireland, England and Scotland, all of whom have had Ladies teams for some time.

The squad was split into two groups, Championship (Singles, Pairs, Triples and Rinks) and International (4 Rinks Teams). Mandy played in the Championship Pairs and Fran played no. 3 in Rink 1 of the International Rinks.

Two long days of bowls were played and for their first time out the Wales squad did very well, achieving runners-up in the Championship Rinks and with the International Rinks teams finishing third overall.