24 Apr Excitement to the end in Pairs Preliminary round
ANYONE who stayed to watch the conclusion of the Pairs Shield Preliminary round played at Marsh Liberal would certainly have enjoyed the bowling on offer with two well-fancied pairs given a run for their money as the afternoon drew to a close.
Last year’s winners, Ian Lunn and Alan Stephenson from Waterloo, saw Colin and Kevin McCluskey of the Huddersfield Rec club fight back from 18-12 down to within a point of the 2024 champions before a “two” on the 18th end saw the Waterloo pair home.
The final tie to finish saw Shepley’s John Pearman and Stuart Pears take Longwood’s Andy Wike and Ian Briggs to the wire. The Shepley pair led 10-6 early on but then managed just one point in the next eight ends as Wike and Briggs dominated. Eight points regained over five ends then levelled the score at 19 across before the Longwood pair reached the quarter-finals with a point on each of the last two ends.
The 2023 winners, Andy Carter and Steve Mallinson from nearby Marsh United, were consistent scorers throughout their tie with Garry Senior and Tony Butterfield who will no doubt be disappointed to go out 21-8.
Ashley Daykin and Andy Mitchell defeated 2022 champions Edwin Haigh and Tim Poulter 21-14 whilst Brockholes bowlers John Crosland and Michael Carr finished 21-17 winners over Golcar Lib pair Robert Allen and Martin Robinson.
Keith Booth and Jamel Kelly from Skelmanthorpe Windmill were second best to Milnbridge’s Roy Sutton and Dennis Hirst (21-11), whilst in another tie between bowlers from those two clubs Milnbridge’s Shaun Irving and David Whitham finished 21-13 winners against Graham Roys and Andrew Clarkson.
In the final tie Paul Rangeley and Graham Brook from Netherton Con finished 21-18 against Stuart England and Mick Cartledge from Clayton West.
The Pairs Shield final is at Almonbury Liberal club on Thursday May 15 when another afternoon of top-class bowling is on the cards.
PHOTO: Ian Briggs was forced into sending down one of his trademark strikes!