Bank Holiday Monday (4 May) brought a brilliant day of bowls at Solihull Marsh Lane, as the Warwick & Worcester Ladies Merit 2026 delivered plenty of competitive action and standout performances across the field. The event was proudly sponsored by Warwickshire & Worcestershire Ladies President Cath Pooler, adding extra significance to the occasion.

In the end, it was Kirsty Darling who lifted the title, edging out Wendy Oxland 21–17 in a tight, hard-fought final. The match stayed close throughout, but Kirsty found that extra gear at the business end to pull clear and secure the win.

Kirsty’s run to the final was packed with eye-catching moments. She started strongly with a 12–5 win over Michelle Witherspoon, before really hitting top form with a dominant 21–4 victory against Abby Weaver. Confidence kept building with a controlled 21–10 win over Megan Recardo, setting up a semi-final clash with Jodie Pritchard.

That semi-final proved to be a key turning point of the day, with both players locked in a tight contest. Kirsty held her nerve under pressure, edging through 21–17 to reach the final.

On the other side, Wendy put together a consistent and impressive run of her own. She opened with a solid 21–15 win over Steph Witherspoon, before battling through another close game to beat Shannon Kernick 21–16.

Her semi-final was one of the most convincing performances of the competition, as she took control early against Anne O’Loughlin and powered through 21–11, booking her place in the final in style.

The final itself lived up to expectations, with both players trading strong ends and keeping the pressure on throughout. But when it mattered most, Kirsty’s composure and finishing made the difference, earning her a well-deserved title.

It was another fantastic showcase of the strength and depth within the Warwick & Worcester ladies’ game, with quality bowls and competitive matches across the day.

The full day's results can be found by clicking here.

Looking ahead, the qualifiers will now represent Warwick & Worcester at the BCGBA National Merit Final, taking place on Saturday 11 July at Pennfields Bowls Club in Wolverhampton (10am start).

A big thank you goes to Solihull Marsh Lane for hosting the event and providing excellent facilities for a superb day of bowls.