09 Sep WHAT A FINAL – OVER 70’S PAIRS

The Over 70’s pairs final was played out to an enthralled and very wet crowd at Brockholes Bowling Club.

The competition. in it’s second year, is sponsored by DWH of Brockholes and the semi-finals featured a home pairing of Keith Hilton and David Oldham playing off 5 against Mick Cox and Peter Kain of Lockwood Cons. The other semi-final paired Paul Rangeley and Barry Gibson, from Meltham and off 2 versus C Doran and Mick Thornton of Lindley Libs off 4. Both semi-finals went to form with the Brockholes pair losing 13 – 21 to the Lockwood pair and Rangeley and Gibson winning 21 – 15 against Thornton and Doran.

There were several interludes of very heavy rain, thunder and lightening but the green drained quickly until the close of play and one of our pictures shows the green 10 minutes after close of play.

The final looked to be going the way of Mick Cox and Peter Kain who lead 19-15 before a spirited recovery from Paul Rangeley and Barry Gibson. However Paul and Barry had different ideas and won a couple of one chalk ends before chalking up a 3 to take the final to 20-19. Paul Rangeley lead out on all but with a brilliant lead 6 inches in front of the jack but Peter Kain came in and sneaked it with his first bowl. Subsequent bowls all added to the head and the lead changed from bowl to bowl, every wood being within a foot or two of the jack. The end went to Cox and Kain to leave the tie all but across and the jack in their hands. Kain lead onto new territory across the green towards Huddersfield but the rain was by then taking hold of the running and some short bowls were punished by the Meltham pairing to win the final.

Our vice-president Frank Greenwood presented the prizes and the trophy thanking Brockholes for their hospitality in hosting the final, the excellent green and the sponsor.