BBC MAJOR PAIRS UPDATE FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 1st       (Terry Norwood at the desk)

Unfortunately, weather intervened to disrupt the running of the Major Pairs Championship finals over the weekend. Saturday was a complete write-off, but Sunday offered a few hours before the storm in the middle of the day put paid to any further play. Semi-final play was set down for 10am, and at that time the weather Gods were being kind.

On rink 10, Ash Lewis and Mick Spong took on Dugald Braithwaite and Al McGhee in a battle of the ‘heavy-weights’. In complete contrast to their quarter final clash where they dropped a five, Dugald and Al snatched a three shotter on the opening end, and they were on their way. However, Ash and Mick were quick to respond, and scores were locked at 3 all after three ends. Al and Dugald then won four of the next five ends to lead 9 – 4, but when Mick tickled the jack into a bunch of yellow bowls on the tenth for a five shotter, the lead changed. Shots were hard to come by over the next three ends and when the storm arrived after thirteen ends, the scores were locked at 12 all. Play was then abandoned for the day, and a resumption has been set down for 10am on Sunday December 15th.

In the other semi on rink 8, Stephen Della and Dave Coltman tussled for supremacy against the lower ranked bolters Ted McPhee and Chris Forrester. This game found Stephen and Dave in excellent form with some super draw bowling and, when needed, shots to trail the jack and slighted weighted shots to move bowls around in the head. Ted and Chris battled hard but usually found their good shots bettered by either Stephen or Dave. Team Coltman led 5 – 0 early and a five shotter on the sixth end gave them a commanding 13 – 2 lead. They then won ends nine through to fifteen accumulating another fourteen shots and when the storm arrived after sixteen ends led 27 – 6. Given the scores, how the game was unfolding and that they would need to average more than four shots per end to recover, Chris and Ted decided to concede the semi to Dave and Stephen.

Stephen and Dave were in red hot form!