TWO Bradford bowlers are toasting their international recognition, with the pair selected to represent England at the European Youth Championships in Tilburg, Holland next April.

Jack Blyth and George Jagger are both members of Shipley Youth Bowling Club and are still just schoolboys.

They are hot prospects on the lanes though, with both having already achieved ten-pin bowling's Holy Grail.

Vice-president and head coach of the club, Lee Metcalfe, said: "I’m absolutely over the moon that two of our players are going to be playing for Team England, it just goes to show hard work does pay off.

"Both players are 15 years of age and have already attained their perfect game of 300.

"As a parent of a child at the club, I am extremely proud of the club and it gives the other bowlers something to aspire to."

It is Jagger's first call up, while Blyth became the first Shipley bowler to play for his country when he represented Team England at the Triple Crown, a competition for all the home nations, earlier this year in Ireland.

Shipley YBC has been going for over 20 years and has a proud record at national championships and of its bowlers representing Yorkshire.

But now, under the guidance of a strong coaching team, including England's national team manager Mark Heathorn, their bowlers are making waves on a national level.

The good news keeps on coming, with the club having some team success, winning two gold medals at this month's Annual Under-22s Doubles and Singles Tournament at Washington Hollywood Bowl, near Sunderland.

Jagger himself won one of those, picking up the First Division doubles title alongside Ryan Smith. That event proved a roaring success for the Shipley club, as they came second (through Tori Pickles and Tom Johnson) and third (with Emma Harries and Luke Harries).

It was not the only victory for Shipley on the day either, as Jem Waters scooped the First Division singles title. Waters also achieved third place alongside Jon Frear-Binns in the Second Division doubles event too.

There were other awards handed out to Shipley's bowlers too. Grace Thomis was honoured for having her best personal series to date and Leah Frear-Binns was recognised for achieving her best two-handed game.

Charlie Turner also received the Encouragement Award for perseverance through team changes and injury.

His mum, Susan, told us: "My son Charlie started bowling at Shipley YBC two and a half years ago, so it's always a story close to your heart when your child is at the club.

"Charlie really looks up to Jack and George and seeing how successful they've become encourages the younger ones and shows them what you could get.

"To have two bowlers from the same club competing in Europe is fantastic."