Tolchard tops the national bowls rankings

Torbay’s Sam Tolchard welcomed 2025 by being positioned at the very top of the English Indoor Bowling Association’s men’s rankings, an incredible 100 points clear of his nearest rival.

The top five includes two other Torbay bowlers, Ryan Whitlock and Jamie Walker, while Ian Lesley is number 36 in the country.

Tolchard reached the high point of 16 in the world bowls rankings in August of 2024 and his list of medals include a raft of national titles, as well as the World Champion of Champions in 2022. He also holds four Commonwealth medals.

In a previous interview with the Torbay Weekly, Sam and his sister Sophie, a Coomonwealth champion in her own right, described how dad Ray Tolchard was a huge inspiration for their sporting success.

Ray died aged 50 following a tragic battle with motor neurone disease having enjoyed a glittering sporting career. He competed at Wimbledon as a junior tennis player, represented Devon at cricket and bowls and went on to umpire 40 first-class cricket matches between 1988 and 1992.

“I was really lucky because all my sport - cricket, football, rugby, bowls - dad was always there. From when I was tiny, I always used to play whatever sport with him.

“He was hard at times, but he’s the best teacher I’ve ever had in terms of sport – and I loved that more than anything.

“He was great and we were lucky to have him – he’s made us what we are today. Without him, I wouldn’t have done the things I’ve done, and Sophie’s the same.”

Sophie added: “Dad was such an inspiration to Sam and I. We’re both lucky to come from a massive sporting family. He’s a massive inspiration to both of us – Sam was fortunate when he was younger to be able to play with my dad, and they often played competitions together.”