GILWERN’S Erica Price and Abergavenny’s Ian Cole were flying the flag for Monmouthshire after being selected to represent Wales in the International Para Bowls Championships.

Held in Weston-Super-Mare over three days of perfect sunshine, Cole and Price were two of the ten player squad, led by Captain Jack Sparrow from Amanford, who gave it their all against tough competition from England and Scotland.

Erica, who competed in the Pairs and Fours categories, joked, “After all bowls were bowled and the results were tallied, we came away with…. a very solid third.

“In all seriousness though we gave a good account of ourselves and a great time was had by all.”

It was Cole’s first taste of international bowling, and the newest cap in the team, who competed in the Singles and Pairs categories was gobsmacked by the experience.

“I didn’t sleep at all the night before the competition. It was very much a case of being thrown in at the deep end. It was my first cap, so it was all new to me, I was surprised how tough it was. It was not only physically exhausting but mentally tiring as well. The standard of bowling was very high and we were up against teams who had Commonwealth Games competitors in their ranks.

“We may have come last but we certainly didn’t let ourselves down and I can’t wait to do it all again.”

Erica, who has been nominated to sit on the the International Bowls For The Disabled Development Board, told the Chronicle, “The Wales Para Bowls team are always on the lookout for new sponsorship and means to engage as many people as possible in the sport. So if you can help in any way, shape, or form, feel free to contact me on 07881 908603.