YOUNG Larruperz bowler Luke Rawlings collected a gold medal when the Herefordshire Short Mat Bowling Association held their presentation evening at Ross Bowls Club.

The 13-year-old claimed the top prize in an award instigated by the association to encourage younger players.

Luke had a successful first visit to the National championships in Bromsgrove where he won his pool and reached the last 16, playing against competitors up to 18 years old.

Cameron Johnson (Fownhope), took silver while 10-year-old Dominic Rogers (Woolhope) who is following in the steps of his father, Anthony Rogers, and grandparents, Sandra and Phil Rogers, won bronze.

In addition to these three, Joseph Loveys, 14, of Gorsley Chapel was the winning Junior bowler at the Macmillan Competition earlier in the season, indicating that the sport has a strong younger following. The trophies were organised by Becci Cox, captain of Herefordshire Premier Team, and were presented by the President of the HSMBA, Fred Jolley with Jamie Harris, chairman of the HSMBA, acting as master of ceremonies.

During the course of the evening a raffle run by Pamela Kellett raised a record £184.

Prize-winners: Singles, Ian Park (Woolhope); Pairs, Sue and John Stannard (Fownhope); Triples, Kate Williams, Jo and Brian Claessen; Open Fours, Fay Middlecote, Jean Austin, Hazel and Tony Vitale (Larruperz, Ross); Mixed Fours, Shirley Cox, John Mills, Becci Cox, Anthony Rogers (Woolhope); First Division, Woolhope; Second Division, Lea ‘B’; Bromyard Challenge Cup Triples, June Smith, Merion Attwood, Colin Smith (Lea); Macmillan Cancer Support Trophy, Ken Windo, June Hudson, Jenny and John Carter (Wotton Hall, Glos); Macmillan - Junior Winner, Joseph Loveys (Gorsley); HSMBA Junior Competition, Stephen Rushby (Gloucestershire); Llangarron Trophy Achievement Award, Luke Rawlings (Larruperz); HSMBA Award for outstanding administration skills, Pamela Kellett (Whitchurch); LEH Team of 10 competition trophy presented by Norman Allen (Fownhope), Winner - Wotton Hall, Runner up - Woolhope.

n John Clapson of Lea represented Herefordshire in the National singles competition while Tony Vitale (Larruperz) and George Marshall (Ross) played the pairs.