Thrilling Finish to Mixed Doubles Qualifier
Castletown Bowling Club hosted the Mixed Doubles Qualifier on Sunday with 23 pairs taking part to play in glorious sunshine throughout the day.
Losing out in the quarter finals were the Ballaugh pair of Julie Reilly and Mike Spooner 11-21 to South Ramsey’s Elaine Moore and Greg Barlow. The Husband and Wife pairing of Willie and Pauline Cowley (Douglas/Ballaugh) lost out 15-21 to home greeners Hannah Drewett and Nathan Hamilton. In the other half of the draw South Ramsey’s Jenny Moore and James Teare won comfortably (21-12) against Lyn Bolton and Peter Jones (Marown), whilst another South Ramsey pairing Fiona Kennish and Alan Moore lost out 17-21 to Sue Gawne (Noble’s) and Andy Kennish (Peel).
Both semi-finals were keenly contested with Moore and Teare fighting back from a 10-18 deficit to Gawne and Kennish to level up at 18 across, only for the latter to score a two and a single to reach the final 21-18. In the other semi Moore and Barlow were up against home greeners Drewett and Hamilton with the match going in scoring runs for both pairs. With the score level on the 17th end at 19-19 the South Ramsey pair got over the line with a two to win 21-19.
The final saw both pairs draw level on five occasions in the first 13 ends, with Kennish and Gawne making a move to win four ends on the bounce to lead 19-14. Winning three of the next four ends, scoring six points – in between conceding a single saw Moore and Barlow draw level once more at 20-20. On the deciding end Gawne and Kennish breathed a huge sigh of relief as they got the single needed to seal a 21-20 victory.
It will be confirmed at a later date how many pairs have qualified to play in the BCGBA Mel Evans MBE Centenary Mixed Pairs at Owley Wood Recreation Club, Cheshire on Saturday 5th October.