Kids Defend Age Group Title

Lawn Bowls – Age Group Competition

Sixty six youngsters participated in the 4th Age Group Lawn Bowls Competition last Sunday, July 19, 2015 at the Hang Hau Man Kuk Lane Park, Tseung Kwan O. Stephanie Worth

HONG KONG—Eleven years old Chen King Hin and Chung Ka Chun successfully defended their U11 title at the 4th Age Group Lawn Bowls Competition last Sunday, July 19.

The event, which was organised by the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association, attracted 66 participants this year and was held at the bowling green at Hang Hau Man Kuk Lane Park, Tseung Kwan O. It was played in a three woods pairs format with no limitation on the combination of gender in each team.

The participants were divided into the four age groups of 8-11, 12-14, 15-17 and 18-25, in a double round-robin format.

Chen and Chung, classmates at Lutheran Tsang Shing Siu Leun School, won all the games in the competition to win their second trophy.

Sixty six youngsters enjoyed their time at the 4th Age Group Lawn Bowls Competition last Sunday, July 19. Chow Wai Kwan (left) from the Lutheran Tsang Shing Siu Leun School indicates to his skipper that they have lost two shots in this end at the semi-finals. However, his team had the last laugh as they overcame the other team and progressed to the final. Stephanie Worth

The two boys started lawn bowls together in 2012 and are currently members of the Young Athletes Scheme at the Tuen Mun Center. Skipper Chung believes that they won the game because they are more experienced than their competitors, “Comparing with last year we gain one more year of experience so it really made the difference.”

Chen also echoed this view. Because of the training “[it] made us play more consistently.”

In the most senior group of 18-25, Hong Kong U25 Squad member Jason Choi partnered with ex-Hong Kong Youth Team teammate Andre Szeto to win his first Age Group title.

The duo won two games and lost one in the group stage but improved their performance in the knock-out when they defeated their competitors to clinch the title.

Choi, who has won gold for Hong Kong at the National Bocce (Lawn Bowls) Elite Competition last year, attributed the success to the support provided by his partner throughout the competition, “Szeto caught up well in the knock-out stage and always provided me with a good position wood even when we are in adverse situation. Such head management is important for us to stay in the game and the effort eventually paid off.”

Some of the winners of the 4th Age Group Lawn Bowls Competition held at Tseun Kwan O, on Sunday July 19, 2015 proudly displayed their trophies. In the front row (L) is the U11 champion Chen King Hin and Chung Ka Chun, while back row are the 18-25 group champions (L) Jason Choi and Andre Szeto. Stephanie Worth

The Age Group Lawn Bowls Competition is one of the four major competitions for youngsters in Hong Kong, includes the U-25 Singles, Youth Novice and the Inter-School competitions. It aims to provide more opportunities for youngsters to test their skill.

Claudius Lam is an Officer of the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association

• Additional photos at HKLBA