Whitkirk bowler wins Champion-of-Champions

Bowling News

Congratulations to Emma Tobin of Whitkirk BC the winner of the 2025 BCGBA Ladies Champion-of-Champions title at Owley Wood in Cumbria on Sunday. No easy rides in this competition with every bowler a previous competition winner this season. On top of that Emma had the massive task of beating the 4-times Ladies Champion-of-Champions winner Karen Galvin in the semi-finals. This really was redemption time for Emma after losing in the 2019 semi-final of the same competition.

Report from BCGBA ***BCGBA 'Champion of Champions' Weekend***

Owley Wood Recreation Club in Northwich played host to another unforgettable day of crown green bowls on Sunday 28th September 2025, as the sport’s very best gathered for the BCGBA Ladies Champion of Champions. This annual showpiece is one of the jewels in the bowls calendar, bringing together winners of the season’s most prestigious competitions to battle it out for the right to be called “Champion of Champions.”

In perfect conditions – dry, bright, and with warm sunshine peeking through the clouds at times – a strong and enthusiastic crowd lined the edges of the immaculate green.

At the end of a day packed with drama, tension, and quality bowling, it was Emma Tobin (British Parks, Yorkshire) who finally got her hands on the famous trophy. After reaching the Semi-Finals back in 2019, Emma went two steps further this time, producing a series of outstanding performances before holding her nerve to beat Sally King (BCGBA Senior Merit) in a thrilling final, 21-18.

The weather gods played their part perfectly. Unlike the Men's Final the day before, which was played in steady rain, Sunday’s conditions were near perfect for bowling. The Owley Wood green was in superb shape, drawing praise from players throughout the day, and the spectators were delivered some excellent bowling throughout the day.

From the very first ends of the morning, the atmosphere was lively, with spectators applauding and encouraging every competitor. The warmth of the occasion matched the weather, but make no mistake – once players stepped onto the green, the competition was fierce.

The Round of 32 set the tone with a series of cracking matches. One of the day’s most dramatic came between Shannon Kernick (Autumn Waterloo) and Samantha Murray (Nercwys Open). Both players traded blows all the way, and fittingly it went right down to the wire at 20-20. With the game in the balance, Murray showed steel, playing a superb strike to remove both of Kernick’s bowls (albeit with an element of fortune) and leave herself counting for the decisive chalk. It was a dramatic finish that had the crowd buzzing.

Elsewhere, there were confident performances from some of the favourites. Sally King, representing the BCGBA Senior Merit, wasted no time in dispatching Olivia Fishwick (Fleetwood Festival) 21-8. Emma Tobin made a steady start too, holding off the talented Susan Pugh (Dudley & District) 21-17.

It wasn’t just the established names on form, though. There were strong showings from across the board, such as Pat McGuirk (Lancashire Averages Winner) squeezing through 21-19 against Alexia Laws (North Derbyshire Merit), and Julie Gardner (Warwick & Worcester Merit) winning a 21-20 thriller against Erin Riley-Twigger (North Midlands Ladies).

The Last 16 stage really lifted the level. Perhaps the standout game of the round was the much-anticipated meeting of Sally King and Louise Ollerton (Spring Waterloo). Louise flew out of the traps, racing into a commanding lead with some clinical bowling. But just when it looked like Louise was heading for the Quarter-Finals, Sally produced a sensational display of corner bowling, gradually turning the tide. End by end she reeled her opponent in, before finally closing the game out 21-16.

Emma Tobin showed her fighting qualities too, overcoming Susan Hillbeck (Cumbria Merit) 21-13, while Jenny Moore (Isle of Man Merit) proved too strong for Samantha Murray, coming through 21-9. There was also a strong performance from Karen Galvin (Cheshire Merit), who saw off Elaine Milligan (Stalybridge Classic) 21-13.

By the Quarter-Finals stage, the greens were surrounded with spectators eager to see who would push on to the latter stages. One of the highlights came in the all-Isle of Man clash between Jenny Moore and Debbie Leece. With both players so familiar with each other’s games, it was a tactical battle from the off. Debbie struck first with some accurate leads, but Jenny’s experience began to tell, and she eventually pulled clear to win 21-16. The applause she received from both sets of supporters showed the respect she has earned on the circuit.

Meanwhile, Emma Tobin edged past Debbie Talbot (South Yorkshire) 21-17 in a tough battle, while Sally King continued her fine run, overcoming defending Champion Lynsey Gorman (Merseyside Merit) 21-18. Karen Galvin booked her place in the Semi-Finals with an excellent 21-20 win against Julie Gardner, one of the day’s closest contests.

The Semi-Finals provided two fascinating matchups. First, Sally King squared off against Jenny Moore. Sally, who had been in strong form all day, delivered perhaps her most complete performance, restricting Jenny to just six chalks in a 21-6 demolition. Her accuracy in the three-quarter corners and ability to control the pace of the game proved decisive, and she strode into the Final full of confidence.

The second Semi-Final, between Emma Tobin and Karen Galvin, was far tighter. Both players exchanged leads throughout, neither able to break away. Emma, however, showed the steel that had been missing in 2019 when she fell at the Semi-Final stage. At 19-15 she dug deep, finding two perfect bowls to close out a 21-15 win. The relief and joy on her face as she booked her first-ever place in the Champion of Champions Final said it all.

So the stage was set: Emma Tobin vs Sally King, Yorkshire vs Shropshire, British Parks vs Senior Merit. Both had impressed throughout the day, both had shown skill, determination, and the ability to handle pressure. It was fitting, then, that the Final turned into a classic.

From the first end, it was clear this would be no walkover. Sally started strongly, using the corners again to great effect, and Emma had to work hard just to keep in touch. At 12-9 to King, it looked as though the Shropshire star might be about to add another major to her growing CV.

But Emma wasn’t about to let her chance slip away. Steadily, she began to find her length, turning the match around with some superb leading. The scoreboard crept her way and the crowd could sense the tension. Finally, showing nerves of steel, Emma played two superb ends to cross the line, sealing a 21-18 victory and with it the title of 2025 BCGBA Ladies Champion of Champions.

The ovation she received from the crowd said everything. After her heartbreak in 2019, this was her redemption, her moment in the sun. Emma’s win was more than just a personal triumph. It was a statement of her quality, her resilience, and her determination to keep pushing at the very highest level. To join the illustrious list of Champion of Champions winners is to write your name into bowls history, and Emma has done just that. For Yorkshire bowls, too, it was a day of pride. Emma’s victory highlights the depth of talent in the County and will surely inspire more young players coming through the ranks.

Beyond the trophy, the 2025 Ladies Champion of Champions was another brilliant showcase of the sport. The organisation, the quality of the greens, the spirit of the crowd, and the standard of play combined to make it a day that will live long in the memory. From Samantha Murray’s dramatic strike in the First Round to the tension of the Final ends, it was crown green bowls at its very best.

And when the story of this season is told, one name will stand tallest of all: Emma Tobin, Champion of Champions.