BOWLS: Taunton bowler runner-up in UK visually impaired singles (From Somerset County Gazette)

BOWLS: Taunton bowler runner-up in UK visually impaired singles

5:49pm Sunday 16th September 2012 in Sport

TEAM GB may have had a successful Paralympic games but a bowler from Taunton has proved she also has what it takes to get to the top of her sport.

Christine Linegar of Taunton Deane Visually Impaired Bowls Club lifted the runners-up trophy at the UK Visually Impaired Bowlers Singles Championships held at Llandrindod Wells in Wales.

Christine, who lost just one of her games in a tight contest, was helped on the green by another Taunton bowler, Ann Councill.

More than 40 bowlers, with little or no sight, took to the rinks on one of the warmest weeks of the year.

As with the Paralympics, the bowlers play in categories according to their disability and, for the first time in several years, England led the field followed by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Deane’s Kirsty Hembrow overcame some tough opposition to win the Ladies’ Somerset two-wood final held in Yeovil.

In-form Taunton Deane Jaguars recorded another away win in the West Country Summer Indoor Bowls Mixed League, beating Torquay Cygnets 41-28.

Scores: V Little, J Hawkins, W Merchant and J Merchant won 20-15; D Mapledoram, B Cook, R Matthews and B Bradford won 21-13.

The Deane also saw off a friendly challenge from Tiverton Borough, winning by 69-46. Scores: P Luscombe, P Lloyd, A Kitchin and R Jones won 17-8; L Dodden, J Moss, G Lloyd and J Bament won 23-13; M Flannigan, P Mear, A Lowe and T Wiscombe won 13-10; P Allen, A Beale and M Beale won 16-15.