2025 British Bowls U25 Internationals - Day One Report
The 2025 British Bowls Under 25 Internationals got underway at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr today. Hosts Scotland are in contention to win both the men’s and women’s series after both teams remained unbeaten throughout their four respective matches on day one.
Session One
Scotland’s men kicked off their series with a hard fought 7-5 victory over a spirited Irish side.
In the men’s singles, Lee Trotter and Jayden Kyle served up a brilliant contest with the momentum changing hands on several occasions. The Scot managed to get his nose in front at 19-18 but sadly lost three shots the following end to narrowly lose out.
The points were shared by both nations across the two men’s pairs encounters. Logan Kennedy and Stewart McAlees made a slow start to proceedings but battled their way back to lead 17-16 going into the last end. Logan and Stewart lay the match, however, a brilliant conversion shot from the Irish skip Iain Gingles managed to make the two shots they required to secure victory.
Kyle Dalrymple and Lewis Betts claimed Scotland’s first win of the session. The Scottish duo made a strong start and never looked back, finishing up with a 20-13 triumph over Adam Cromie and Peter Haughey.
Our men’s triples team of Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig and Craig Mackintosh also followed up with victory of their own. Despite a slow start, the trio rallied in the second half of the match to take a 20-14 win against Dillion McElroy, Carter Heron and William Orr.
Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds and Danny Stevenson fell behind 0-11 in their fours match with Daryl Perkins, Nathan Minish, Kian McMenamin and Jordan Rankin. The Scottish quartet dug deep in the later stages of the game to produce an impressive comeback and draw 14-14.
Scotland’s women also commenced their weekend with an 8-4 win against Ireland.
Fresh from competing in the Bowls Europe Under 25 Singles earlier this week, Megan Sproat led the way with a 21-17 victory over Lara Reaney.
Both Scottish women’s pairs tasted defeat in the first session of play. Sarah Campbell and Sophie McGrouther could never get in front of their opponents and finished 13-20 behind Rachel Cochrane and Hannah Cochrane. Kara Lees and Beth Riva competed well against Ellie Frazer and Lorna McMullan but unfortunately lost out at the last end 14-15.
Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy and Eilidh Weir gelled well together in the women’s triples to take a crucial 20-13 victory over the Irish trio of Izzy Nolan, Brooke Stirling and Chloe Wilson.
Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth and Rebecca Houston delivered a commanding 16-7 win for the Scots in the women’s fours against Erin Frazer, Amy Carruth, Zoe Minish and Sophie McIntyre which helped ensure the overall victory for Scotland.
Session One Scores:
- Men’s Singles – Lee Trotter lost to Jayden Kyle 19-21
- Men’s Pairs – Logan Kennedy & Stewart McAlees lost to Daniel Spratt & Iain Gingles 17-18
- Men’s Pairs – Kyle Dalrymple & Lewis Betts beat Adam Cromie & Peter Haughey 20-13
- Men’s Triples – Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig & Craig Mackintosh beat Dillon McElroy, Carter Heron & William Orr 20-14
- Men’s Fours – Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds & Danny Stevenson drew with Daryl Perkins, Nathan Minish, Kian McMenamin & Jordan Rankin 14-14
SCOTLAND 7 (90) – IRELAND 5 (80)
- Women’s Singles – Megan Sproat beat Lara Reaney 21-17
- Women’s Pairs – Sarah Campbell & Sophie McGrouther lost to Rachel Cochrane & Hannah Cochrane 13-20
- Women’s Pairs – Kara Lees & Beth Riva lost to Ellie Frazer & Lorna McMullan 14-15
- Women’s Triples – Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy & Eilidh Weir beat Izzy Nolan, Brooke Stirling & Chloe Wilson 20-13
- Women’s Fours – Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth & Rebecca Houston beat Erin Frazer, Amy Carruth, Zoe Minish & Sophie McIntyre 16-7
SCOTLAND 8 (84) – IRELAND 4 (72)
Session Two
The second session brought another 7-5 win for Scotland’s men.
Lee Trotter was involved in another entertaining singles match against Wales’ Elijah Minett. The Scot trailed 15-20 but played a great end to hold four shots and put pressure on his opponent. Unfortunately for Lee, Elijah kept his cool to draw a toucher with his last bowl to win the game.
Scotland’s two men’s pairs were undefeated in session two. Logan Kennedy and Stewart McAlees responded strongly from their defeat in the first session to notch up a comfortable 19-9 victory over Lewys Lavelle and JJ Jones Coles. Meanwhile, there was late drama in Kyle Dalrymple and Lewis Betts’ encounter with Jack Thomas and Cory Bayliss. The Scots trailed 12-17 going into the last end but Lewis managed to trail the jack on multiple occasions to create a count of five shots to draw the game.
Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig and Craig Mackintosh made it two wins in as many matches in the men’s triples. The Scottish trio delivered a solid performance to overcome Jack Mounty, Billy Flynn and Cory Davies 19-9.
There was sadly last end heartbreak for Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds and Danny Stevenson in the men’s fours. Scotland led by four shots going into the last end but failed to consolidate the head and lost five shots to be defeated 13-14.
In the women’s match against Wales, Scotland clinched an important 9-3 victory.
Megan Sproat was involved in a blockbuster singles encounter with Wales’ Lauren Gowen. The match was a low scoring affair, such was the quality of both players drawing bowls. With the time limit reached, Megan trailed 15-18 going into the last end, however, kept her cool to pick up the three shots she required to peel the game.
It was honours even across the two women’s pairs fixtures with each nation taking a win apiece. Erin Bedwell and Sophie McGrouther led in the early stages but failed to maintain their momentum, eventually losing 10-17 to Rhianna Thompson and Jasmine Staton. Kara Lees and Beth Riva chalked up Scotland’s first victory of the match, bouncing back well from their earlier defeat to overcome Libby Harris and Olivia Jackson 22-16.
Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy and Eilidh Weir took their second victory in the women’s triples. There was never much in the contest, but the Scots done enough to get over the winning line 14-10 against Seren Jones, Katie Dickson and Ffion Stephens.
Our women’s fours team of Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth and Rebecca Houston continued to impress as they swept aside Tegan Rees, Lauren Viles, Emily Lawrence and Estee Parry 23-9.
Session Two Scores:
- Men’s Singles – Lee Trotter lost to Elijah Minett 15-21
- Men’s Pairs – Logan Kennedy & Stewart McAlees beat Lewys Lavelle & JJ Jones Coles 19-9
- Men’s Pairs – Kyle Dalrymple & Lewis Betts drew with Jack Thomas & Cory Bayliss 17-17
- Men’s Triples – Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig & Craig Mackintosh beat Jack Mounty, Billy Flynn & Cory Davies 19-9
- Men’s Fours – Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds & Danny Stevenson lost to Tal Gunter, Oliver Witchell, Owain LeBreton & Rhys Colwill 13-14
SCOTLAND 7 (83) – WALES 5 (70)
- Women’s Singles – Megan Sproat drew with Lauren Gowen 18-18
- Women’s Pairs – Erin Bedwell & Sophie McGrouther lost to Rhianna Thompson & Jasmine Staton 10-17
- Women’s Pairs – Kara Lees & Beth Riva beat Libby Harris & Olivia Jackson 22-16
- Women’s Triples – Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy & Eilidh Weir beat Seren Jones, Katie Dickson & Ffion Stephens 14-10
- Women’s Fours – Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth & Rebecca Houston beat Tegan Rees, Lauren Viles, Emily Lawrence & Estee Parry 23-9
SCOTLAND 9 (87) – WALES 3 (70)
Session Three
Scotland’s men trailed leaders England by four points going into their first of two head-to-head encounters across the weekend. The Scots produced a spirited display across the green to claim a crucial 8-4 victory.
Troon Portland Bowling Club’s Ross Gouldstone took the singles berth for this match and came up against Bowls Europe Under 25 Singles bronze medallist Lloyd Milligan. After a nip and tuck start to the game, the Scot found himself 7-15 behind with work to do. Ross began to find his groove and fought has way back to 19-19 and held the two shots he required to win the match. Lloyd however had other ideas and played an excellent running bowl to ditch the jack and secure the two shots he needed to end a brilliant contest.
Both Scottish men’s pairs took maximum points from their two respective fixtures. Recording the biggest winning margin of the session, Logan Kennedy and Stewart McAlees both hit top form to convincingly beat Luke Bell and Finley Williamson 29-9. Kyle Dalrymple and Lewis Betts backed this up with an accomplished performance to overcome Joe Sandford and Harry Duffield 19-11.
In the men’s triples, Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig and Craig Mackintosh played well to get the better of Ollie Sloan, Joe Sims and Alisdair Williams 17-14 in an exciting match.
Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds and Danny Stevenson had their noses in front on a couple of occasions in the men’s fours but failed to convert their advantage into victory. The Scottish quartet eventually lost out 13-17 to Oli Collins, Charlie Beeton, Mack May and Isaac Jenner.
Our women’s team also trailed England by three points at the beginning of session three. Extending their winning streak, Scotland took a 9-3 triumph to overturn the points deficit.
Megan Sproat maintained her unbeaten run in the women’s singles by overcoming England’s Rhianna Russell. The match was a real ding-dong affair with Megan managing to keep her cool in the later stages to notch up a 21-19 victory.
Scotland were unbeaten across the two women’s pairs encounters. Erin Bedwell and Sophie McGrouther drew with Jemma Tuohy and Yasmina Hasan 16-16 in the women’s pairs. The Scots trailed 6-12 earlier in the contest but fought back strongly in the later stages to clinch an important point. In the second women’s pairs match, Kara Lees and Beth Riva started strongly and never looked back as they won 20-9 against Lily Mae Adams and Millie Tuck.
Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy and Eilidh Weir maintained their 100% winning record when they got the better of Aqua-Marie Griffiths, Hannah Smith and Madie Burgess 20-9 in the women’s triples.
The women’s fours team of Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth and Rebecca Houston tasted defeat for the first time, coming up short 15-18 at the hands of Madi King, Molly Haney, Izzy White and Chloe Brett.
Session Three Scores:
- Men’s Singles – Ross Gouldstone lost to Lloyd Milligan 19-21
- Men’s Pairs – Logan Kennedy & Stewart McAlees beat Luke Bell & Finley Williamson 29-9
- Men’s Pairs – Kyle Dalrymple & Lewis Betts beat Joe Sandford & Harry Duffield 19-11
- Men’s Triples – Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig & Craig Mackintosh beat Ollie Sloan, Joe Sims & Alisdair Williams 17-14
- Men’s Fours – Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Kieran Dodds & Danny Stevenson lost to Oli Collins, Charlie Beeton, Mack May & Isaac Jenner 13-17
SCOTLAND 8 (97) – ENGLAND 4 (72)
- Women’s Singles – Megan Sproat beat Rhianna Russell 21-19
- Women’s Pairs – Erin Bedwell & Sophie McGrouther drew with Jemma Tuohy & Yasmina Hasan 16-16
- Women’s Pairs – Kara Lees & Beth Riva beat Lily Mae Adams & Millie Tuck 20-9
- Women’s Triples – Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy & Eilidh Weir beat Aqua-Marie Griffiths, Hannah Smith & Madie Burgess 20-9
- Women’s Fours – Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth & Rebecca Houston lost to Madi King, Molly Haney, Izzy White & Chloe Brett 15-18
SCOTLAND 9 (92) – ENGLAND 3 (71)
Session Four
Session four saw the beginning of the return fixtures against each nation with the format now altering to one pairs, two triples and one fours game.
Scotland’s men picked up their second victory of the day over Ireland with an overall scoreline of 8-2.
Kyle Dalrymple and Lewis Betts remain unbeaten in the men’s pairs as they swept aside Daniel Spratt and Iain Gingles 19-5.
Both Scottish men’s triples teams clinched further important wins. Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig and Craig Mackintosh boast an unblemished record after day one. On this occasion they overcame Adam Cromie, Carter Heron and Jayden Kyle 21-11. Logan Kennedy, Ross Gouldstone and Stewart McAlees picked up a crucial count of four shots in the last end of their match to take a 14-11 win over Bradley Stirling, Nathan Minish and William Orr.
Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Lee Trotter and Danny Stevenson fought back well in the men’s fours to suffer a narrow 16-18 loss to Dillon McElroy, Colm O’Brien, Peter Haughey and Jordan Rankin 16-18
Our women’s team had to settle for a draw in their second encounter with Ireland.
Kara Lees and Beth Riva were part of a high-quality pairs match against Brooke Stirling and Sophie McIntyre which finished as a 16-16 draw after 18 ends.
The Scots two women’s triples teams both managed to pick up important wins. Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy and Eilidh Weir continued their winning streak as they done enough to defeat Erin Frazer, Rachel Cochrane and Lara Reaney 19-17. Meanwhile, Erin Bedwell, Sophie McGrouther and Megan Sproat also battled hard to get the better of Isabel Larrigan, Zoe Minish and Hannah Cochrane 19-15 in a tight affair.
Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth and Rebecca Houston found themselves chasing their match in the later stages and ended up losing 12-20 to Izzy Nolan, Graci Cassley, Amy Carruth and Chloe Wilson.
Session Four Scores:
- Men’s Pairs – Kyle Dalrymple & Lewis Betts beat Daniel Spratt & Iain Gingles 19-5
- Men’s Triples – Charlie Mitchell, Arron Craig & Craig Mackintosh beat Adam Cromie, Carter Heron & Jayden Kyle 21-11
- Men’s Triples – Logan Kennedy, Ross Gouldstone & Stewart McAlees beat Bradley Stirling, Nathan Minish & William Orr 14-11
- Men’s Fours – Aaron Miller, Jamie Noon, Lee Trotter & Danny Stevenson lost to Dillon McElroy, Colm O’Brien, Peter Haughey & Jordan Rankin 16-18
SCOTLAND 8 (70) – IRELAND 2 (45)
- Women’s Pairs – Kara Lees & Beth Riva drew with Brooke Stirling & Sophie McIntyre 16-16
- Women’s Triples – Beth Isbister, Leah McCloy & Eilidh Weir beat Erin Frazer, Rachel Cochrane & Lara Reaney 19-17
- Women’s Triples – Erin Bedwell, Sophie McGrouther & Megan Sproat beat Isabel Larrigan, Zoe Minish & Hannah Cochrane 19-15
- Women’s Fours – Lauren Roddie, Laura McCabe, Emma Blyth & Rebecca Houston lost to Izzy Nolan, Graci Cassley, Amy Carruth & Chloe Wilson 12-20
SCOTLAND 5 (66) – IRELAND 5 (68)
The final two sessions of play will be completed tomorrow morning with Scotland currently in first place in both the men’s and women’s series. A report and scores from these games will be provided on Sunday afternoon.