Gloucestershire players travelled to Melton Mowbray this weekend to compete in the opening events of the 2026 National Championships, proudly representing the county against the best teams from across the country. With strong performances already recorded and more Gloucestershire representatives due to compete in the remaining championships later this month, it promises to be an exciting conclusion to the national season.
This weekend saw the Mixed 4s and Over 55s Pairs taking place.
In Saturday’s Mixed 4s Gloucestershire was represented by 4 teams:
- Monica Carter, Carole Preece, Graham Ewers & Dave Greening
- Chris Evans, Mike Sparrow, Becky Finch & Barbara Bubb
- Jill Chandler, Glyn Wright, Gill Johnson & Stewart Minchew
- Jo Featherstone, Saul Featherstone, Janet Street & Mike Dooley
The round robin stage saw 16 groups of 4 teams playing against each other with the top 2 progressing through to the knockouts. Becky and Stewart’s teams finished 2nd in their respective groups with 2 wins, and Saul’s team topped their group with 3 wins from 3. Unfortunately, Carole’s team finished 3rd in their group with 1 win and were unable to progress.
With the group stages complete, attention turned to the knockout rounds where the competition intensified and every end became crucial.
Into the knockouts and it was a local derby for Becky’s teams who faced off against the Herefordshire team of John Mills, Becky Cox, Dawn Cox, Bryan Watkins. A tight result which would prove to be the start of Herefordshire run to the final! Slightly better fortune for Stewart and Saul’s teams who had comfortable wins over Surrey and Hampshire respectively to progress to the last 16.
Next up saw Stewart’s team face off against last years champions from Cheshire and despite their best efforts, the reigning champions proved too strong for the Tewkesbury four, ending 17-3. Saul’s team managed to keep up their winning streak with a 12-7 win over Devon.
Saul’s team managed another win in the quarters, picking up an 11-5 win over Humberside and setting up a semi-final against a strong West Mids 4 of Nathan Caines, Adam Easthope, Beth Baller and Diane Hearnden. The game was tight and very tactical, and it was 4-4 going into the final end. Ultimately it came down to a millimetre gap that saw the West Mids team progress 5-4.
The West Mids team went on to meet Herefordshire in the final with Herefordshire coming out the eventual winners 7-3 and taking home the 2026 National Mixed 4s title.
On the Sunday it was the turn of the Over 55 Pairs. Gloucestershire were represented by Stewart Minchew and Gill Johnson. Unfortunately, the pair were unable to progress through the round robin stage.
Gloucestershire can take great pride in the performances across the weekend, with strong teamwork on display throughout. With more National Championship events still to come between the 9th and 12th of April, the county will once again be well represented as players look to build on this weekend’s efforts and continue flying the Gloucestershire flag on the national stage.
