The 2018 Handicap Pairs Championship has been played and the new Champions determined.
Ken Drew and Doug Williams had a very close win over Jim Madden and Joel Hilliard in the only round 1 game, winning 24 -23. In the second round Drew and Williams were too good for Des Jackson and Patrick Sager winning comfortably 23 – 11.
Noel Downie and Julian Penny started their campaign with a strong showing against Brian Currie and Jim Howden. Ivan Balentovic and John Fahey had a good win over Alf Winch and Stan Peck and Col Fletcher and Alan McLeod held off a strong finish by Mick Challice and Jim Macklan to sneak into the semis with a 18 -17 win.
Both semi finals were close matches. Balentovic and Fahey had to give Fletcher and McLeod 13 shots start! The match looked all over when McLeod lead 30 – 10 after 12 ends. However Fahey fought back and with two ends to play trailed by only 3 shots at 31 – 28. McLeod managed to win the last two ends to win 33 – 28!
Above; Handicap Pairs Col Fletcher and Alan McLeod.
In the other semi final Penny and Downie looked home when they dominated the middle ends to set up a 21 – 15 advantage over Drew and Williams. Drew and Williams won the last three ends but fell one shot short going down 21 – 20.
The final was a great game. Penny and Downie had to give Fletcher and Mcleod a six shot start and looked in all sorts of trouble when they were behind 15 – 1 after 9 ends. Then the momentum changed. Downie won six ends in a row and raced to a 18 – 15 lead. McLeod fought back and with just two ends to play led 23 – 19.
Downie was able to win the last two ends and picked up four shots to force the game into an extra end. McLeod seemed to have control of the end holding shots with Downie to bowl the last end. With little option Downie played a strong bowl into the head and, with a little help, he was able to pick up the jack and three shots to triumph 26 -23!! It was a very entertaining match!
Congratulations to Penny and Downie (below) on their win.
