TAVISTOCK bowler, Stephen Hartley has taken victory at the Para Home Nations outdoor championship, writes Kat Archer.

The nail-biting event took place in Weston-Super-Mare on September 2-4 with Stephen bringing the trophy back to Tavistock.

Stephen described the event as ‘an incredible weekend.’

Stephen said: ‘It was an amazing feeling. I was on top form. It was a very tight match. Incredible fight. Incredible victory.’

The match that secured Stephen the victory was the pinnacle of the weekend. The Sunday morning match saw Stephen and bowling partner Gareth Harwood up against Scotland’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist winners, Robert Barr and Melanie Innes. Having won two of the three matches they had already played, this match was the final decider. The match was suspenseful from start to finish with the pair securing the victory with a result of 15-14.

The win was even more impactful as the last time Stephen played against Robert back in April this year, Robert won the match.

Stephen described the match and the weekend as the ‘highlight of his career’.

‘Even though we were behind after two ends, we clawed it back’, said Stephen.

‘I do find I play better under pressure. England won the trophy due to excellent team spirit.

‘It was the first time that I’ve played with Gareth, he is more experinced than me, but it was a great pairing.’

The next event Stephen will be hoping to secure a victory at is in the UK indoor championships in Glasgow next month.

Stephen also hopes to be chosen as part of the Disability Bowls England squad for the World Bowls Championships that are taking place in Melbourne, Australia next year. This will be the first time there will be a para squad for the event.

Stephen said: ‘I’m hopeful that after my victory that I might get picked.’