Defending Champions Mark Reynolds and Ian Kennedy had cause for celebration this week as they clinched the Pairs Merit championship for the second year running.
With qualifying taking place over various greens, the final 16 pairs made their way to Black Swan Bowling club for the Final. Wayside’s Tracy Kennedy and Stuart Whitehouse had a fantastic day coming back from 20-11 down to secure a terrific win in the first round against Knaresborough’s David and Paul Wood before having another good game beating Bilton Dragon pair Carol Sunter and Claire Howes to 14.
It was also a very good day for Wayside’s Robert Maude and Barrie Sugden beating Black Swan’s Cory McLeod and Tom Broadbent to single figures in the 1st round then securing a semi-final spot with an excellent 21-9 win over Bilton Clubmen Alan Rothery and Phil Hill.
Home bowlers Dave Rowson and Chaz Charleton secured a semi-final spot bowling excellent all morning beating Steve Cochrane and Martin Meechan from Wayside 21-12 then Dragon pair Chris Sunter and Chris England 21-18. Reynolds and Kennedy made good progress beating David and Angela Spilsbury 21-6 before coming through a tough match against club mates Brian and Brad Walker 21-13.
All's fair in love and war and so it was as husband and wife faced each other in the first semi-final with Reynolds and Kennedy taking on Kennedy and Whitehouse. On this occasion honours went to the defending champions whose experience of the tricky green helped them secure a good win. Again Rowson and Charleton showed excellent form bowling with precision and accuracy as they dominated and secured a place in the final beating Maude and Sugden 21-11.
First blood in the Final went to the Swan pair who built up a good 6-1 win bowling them close. Reynolds and Kennedy dug in and chipped away bringing the scores level at 7-7 with the game going on to 9-10 then 13-12. With each end so far only scoring 1 or 2 chalks the 19th end provided the first real split with the Wayside lads securing a 4 followed by another single to take an 18-12 advantage.
Rowson and Charlton and no intention of letting the cup slip away however and fought well over the next 3 ends bringing the game back to 16-18 and looking well in control. The day proved to be Reynolds and Kennedy’s however and they settled their nerves to score 3 more singles to secure the much coveted title.
League Vice President Mr Barrie Sugden gave praise and a huge will done to all the competitors, Black Swan bowling club, and most of all to the spectators who made it a good day for all. This Sunday sees the Harrogate ABA Dragon Ladies Merit held at Almscliffe Bowling Club with a 10am start.
