Three well-known local bowlers have returned home this week after celebrating success at the Home International team championship in Belfast. Welsh squad members Ann Lewis and Ceris Hewlings from Saundersfoot, together with this year's Welsh Women's Bowling Association president Julia King-Thomas, of Tenby, were thrilled to be part of their country's team which clinched the joint-runners up spot at the prestigious event at Belmont Bowling Club. After losing their opening game to the hosts, Ireland, Wales hit back to beat Scotland by six shots, with Ann's rink chalking up the highest winning rink. Wales were just pipped at the post by England by four shots, but finished on a high, beating Jersey on all six rinks to record a super 42-shot win, with Ann's rink celebrating a hot-shot! England were crowned champions, with Wales and Scotland sharing the runners-up spot, both with a plus 32 shots difference. Ireland also shared four points, but finished in fourth place with minus one, while Jersey were fifth, having failed to win a game. It was a touching scene for Ann and Ceris to see their fellow West Wales Ladies Bowling Association team-mate Julia, not only lead the Welsh team at both the opening and closing ceremonies, but also proudly step up to receive the gleaming runners-up Rose Bowl with Scottish president Anna McCallum. At the start of the event, the Welsh team supported their representatives in the British Isles championships, with the Merthyr quartet of Marion Gwynne, Mel Viles, Norma O'Sullivan and Mair Jones getting the furthest - they reached the final of the rinks, only to be beaten by a strong English rink skipped by international Catherine Popple. The Welsh team were also invited to attend a civic reception, together with the other four competing teams, at the historic Hillsborough Castle attended by the Irish Minister for Sport. "It was a thoroughly enjoyable series from beginning to end," said Julia this week. "All the games were great to watch, there was some wonderful bowling and I am so proud to be president of the Welsh team which did so well."