Bowlers sail into battle

Greg Harlow, the world’s leading bowls player, will be taking to the sea in a few days’ time, on a cruise around the UK. Not to take part in an impromptu game of carpet bowls in a corridor – although I wouldn’t rule out the possibility – but to lead a group of enthusiasts in competition against players from Ireland and Scotland.
Fred Olsen’s Braemar is the ship taking the bowlers into battle, in a partnership with No Fly Cruising, a sister company to Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk, which is to the World Indoor Bowls Championships what Sheffield’s Crucible theatre is to snooker.
Sailing on a round trip from Dover on May 22, playing passengers will be able to take their own bowls as they won’t have to worry about airline baggage restrictions. They will be invited to a drinks reception with Greg, the only player ever to win the International Open three times in a row. On board he will be giving talks about his career; ashore he’ll be with the team as they challenge players from Kenilworth Bowls Club in Dublin, Belfast Indoor Bowls Club, and squads from Kirkwall in the Orkneys and Invergordon in the Highlands. They will be playing mixed fours in contests over the best of 14 ends.
Fred Olsen sales executive Simon Chambers said: ” We are delighted that we will be welcoming this very special bowls group on board for Braemar’s beautiful cruise around the UK and Ireland; it is typical of the wide variety of interests and activities that can be enjoyed on a Fred. Olsen cruise, along with all the onboard entertainment and daily activities that our ships have to offer, and, of course, a wonderful choice of varied and stimulating ports of call.”
John Potter, owner of Potters Leisure Limited and Chairman of Potters No Fly Cruising, added “This is the perfect combination of a great cruise holiday with optional games of bowls arranged for our guests at local clubs along the way. This friendly bowls cruise will be the first of many, allowing our guests to cruise with like-minded people, with lots to look forward to for bowlers and non-bowlers alike. We are delighted to be partnering with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for our inaugural bowls cruise and look forward to developing and expanding the concept in the years to come.”