DOUBLE TROUBLE!!
Fourteen players congregated at Tamworth IBC for the 2022 EALABA National Drawn Pairs Championships. Unfortunately, due to a late withdrawal through illness, Sandar Baker did the honours by standing in.
Paired into 7 teams for each playing 6 x 90-minute matches over the weekend. Drawn out of the ‘hat’ teams were:- Colin Wagstaff & Sandra Baker; Gary Swift & Arthur Redfearn; Bob Love & Chris Gray; David Stearn & Mac Otton; Paul Baker & John Rogers; Colin Milner & Harry Atkin; Steve Angus & Alex Comack.
All teams were new pairings, and it took a while for them to settle down and get used to each other. The competition was fierce, generally with a lot of close matches and by the end of the first days play of maximum 4 matches (6 hours of bowls) Bob Love & Chris Gray were undefeated. Most other teams had lost 1 match.
The final day was a repeat of the first, Bob & Chris were undefeated yet again and could not be overtaken, subsequently, taking the Championship.
The battle ensued for the runners-up place right up to the very last match of the day. John & Paul squeezed it by 1 point and shot difference separated Steve & Alex from Gary & Arthur.
Chris & Bob receiving their trophy from Norman Ardin, newly appointed Tamworth IBC President.
Final Placings: Champions – Chris Gray & Bob Love; 2nd – Paul Baker & John Rogers; 3rd – Alex Comack & Steve Angus; 4th – Arthur Redfearn & Gary Swift; 5th – Harry Atkin & Colin Milner; 6th – Mac Otton & David Stearn; 7th – Sandra Baker & Colin Wagstaff.
Bob Love has taken both the Singles and Drawn Doubles titles and is undefeated in both Championships. Double trouble for the others, how do we beat the maestro? We shall have to wait until the 2023 season.
Many thanks go to Tamworth IBC for providing such a superb facility, the helpers for pushing our wheelchair users (Diane for organising the helpers in both championships), and Jiffy Bites for excellent lunches.
The next get-together is Saturday 4th March 2023 for training in the morning, more excellent grub, and an afternoon match against Gedling IBC.
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What about a thank you for the organiser for all the work she puts in on the days and all the hours behind the scenes that nobody sees
100% Mac, Ros does a great job.