Brian Claessen of Lea Short Mat Bowling Club has been appointed as manager of the England Under-21s short mat bowling squad. Brian, also a qualified umpire, has recently been captain of the Herefordshire County A team, a position he has had to relinquish in favour of his new role.

This prestigious appointment recognises the valuable work that Brian has done in encouraging younger bowlers into the sport, including the recent establishment of a junior competition within Herefordshire.

The news continues a fantastic year for Lea Short Mat Bowling Club. Early in the year Kate Williams, Jo & Brian Claessen won the county triples championship. This was no mean feat as the club were represented by no less than three teams and all three got into the quarter final stage. After a truly titanic struggle in the final, the Lea side finally won the championship by having to play an extra deciding end, as the scores were tied after the customary ten ends.

Lea's John Clapson also won the National qualifiers champions trophy, with the finals staged in the Bromsgove Indoor Bowls centre.

The club's B team won the county League competition. The B team is comprised of two teenagers in Kate Williams, & Mathew Kite and then on top of that both Charlotte and Stephen Kite have only been playing the game for just over a year.