BBC BROADCAST MAJOR PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP (Terry Norwood at the desk)
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th saw the playing of the semi-finals and final of this prestigious competition when the men took to the improved grass of the Wilson Green. The bowlers had to contend with a blustery south/north westerly on Saturday which did not let up all afternoon. However, the conditions were more comfortable for all on the day of the final. After being subbed out last weekend due to injury, Ash Lewis was back to skipper his side in these vital rounds.
Semi-finals
On rink 4, Ian Duncan and Arnold Lenczuk took the battle up to Al McGhee and Ash Lewis and the boys had it at 3 all after two ends. Al and Ash then edged the score out to 7 – 3, only to see Ian and Arnie to be within a shot after nine. At this point however, Al and Ash dominated proceedings and by the fifteenth end were in a commanding position at 24 – 8. Ian and Arnie did match them over the remaining ends, but Ash and Al finished comfortably in front 31 – 15.
In the other semi on rink 5, Dugald Braithwaite and Oscar Whalin tussled for honours against Gordon Lewis and Robin Staples, and a monstrous seven shotter on the third end saw Dugald and Oscar 13 zero up! Robin and Gordon then started to find their touch and by the seventh end had closed the gap to five shots. It was then nip and tuck through to the thirteenth with Gordon and Robin only four behind and still in the game. However, it was then that Oscar and Dugald took a stranglehold on proceedings and charged home to 34 – 16.
Sunday Final Al McGhee/Ash Lewis Vs Dugald Braithwaite/Oscar Whalin
The opening to the final saw ends tight, but Al and Ash squeezed out a lead of 5 – 1 after the first four. Oscar and Dugald then won six of the next seven ends to hold a slender two shot lead at 9 – 7. With some fine bowls being put down neither side was showing signs of weakening. Al and Ash notched up a couple of solid ends and had the scores square at 11 all after sixteen. It was then that Dugald and Oscar edged to the lead so that with one end to play, they were up by three. In a composed last end, they grabbed a double to get home by five at 17 – 12. It was a long, drawn out match with neither side weakening under pressure. Congratulations Dugald and Oscar on a fine victory!
