Rochdale VIpers win the Brenda Moore 2016 shield trophy

Rochdale VIpers Ten Pin Bowling Team

The Rochdale VIpers ten pin bowling team has won the the Brenda Moore 2016 shield trophy - a major event in the British Blind Sports (BBS) 10 pin calendar.

Rochdale VIpers, which is run for visually impaired youngsters across the borough, met at the MFA Bowl Alley in Sheffield to play six games against teams from as far afield as Worcester, Wales and Somerset.

After a long day – particularly hard on the junior team - we were rewarded with two placings. The adult team was placed third and the junior team excelled and came first taking the Brenda Moore 2016 shield trophy.

This is the best result the VIpers have had for a number of years and is said to be an excellent springboard for the BBS Trios tournament next year.

Rochdale VIpers play their matches during the school term time at Strike 10, Sandbrook Park.

During the BBS league season – running from December to May - the team and their opponents play two games of ten-pin bowling at their respective bowling centres. After the games are finished the scorecards are sent off to the BBS fixtures secretary, who compares the scores and declares the results of each match.

Town Taxis has had a long association with the VIpers, as they have transported some young people with a visual impairment to and from schools for many years and have built up a relationship with the team at Sandbrook Park.

A VIpers spokesperson said: "The success of the VIpers this year is in no small part due to the generous donation from Town Taxis, which has allowed us to continue throughout the year and also due to the continued support from Rochdale Additional Needs Service, who support school-age children with special educational needs across the borough.

"New players between the ages of 9 and 18 are welcome. They will need a certificate of visual impairment, to live in the borough of Rochdale and be able to bowl a ball independently."

Further information can be obtained from British Blind Sport (www.britishblindsport.org.uk) or from Dave Hobson at dave.hobson@rochdale.gov.uk