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Richard Leonard (27) from St James’s Bowling Club in Dublin made history over the last weekend. He is the first player from the Bowling League of Ireland (BLI) to win the prestigious British Isles Singles title. To get to this stage he first had to win the singles title in the BLI Championships, confined to players in the Republic of Ireland. He then went on to win the National All Ireland Irish Bowling Association (IBA) Singles Title, which qualified him to play in the British Isles Bowls Championships (BIBC) which were held in Sighthill Bowling Club in Edinburgh. This is contested between the National Champions of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey. He first had to play a preliminary round against Dan de la Mare from Guernsey who he beat 21 -13, then in the Semi Final he came up against the experienced Jersey player Thomas Grechan who he beat 21 -9. In the final he beat England’s International Steve Mitcheson 21 – 16. Richard started playing bowls when he was 12 years old, and at 16 became an Under 25 International. He played on the under 25 International team until he became ineligible, and the following year he was immediately promoted to the Senior International team, and has retained his place ever since. Richard along with his father, John and Steve Millane, all from St. James’s Gate also qualified this year in the BIBC Triples competition for the third time in 5 years, but unfortunately were beaten at the semi - final stage. In the international series Ireland with Richard Leonard, and Blair Somers from the Blackrock Club part of the team, came runners up in the series. Richard will now be representing Ireland in the World Champion of Champions in Hong Kong in November, where he will be competing against the champions of 45 Countries. |