Each summer the county teams of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire play a challenge match over two legs for the trophy named in memory of the former Gloucestershire captain Bill Mackie, who died in 2008. Gloucestershire have consistently proved themselves to be the stronger county and, coming into this year’s competition, had won all 9 of the previous matches.

This year’s contest appeared to be heading in a familiar direction when Gloucestershire won the first leg, played at Gloucester’s Churchdown Community Centre, by the comfortable margin of 26-14 with overall wins in 3 of the 4 disciplines. The return leg at Ross’ Larruperz Centre was to prove a complete contrast however as, despite the morning session being tied, Herefordshire produced a clean sweep of the Singles, Pairs and Triples in the afternoon which secured them the bonus points in those disciplines and left them needing a single point from the afternoon Fours, the only games still in play, to take the trophy for the first time.

The winter short mat season was rounded off by the annual Presentation Evening at the Larruperz Centre. Over 100 bowlers attended for the presentation of awards for the league and cup competitions, played over the preceding year in a ceremony compered by the Herefordshire Short Mat Bowls Association Chairman, Ian Park, ably assisted by his vice-chair Fran Jones.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here