Gedling Open Pairs, played for the Joan Blaney Memorial Trophy – 6th & 7th August 2016.
It was a great turnout for this year’s competition resulting in having to limit the teams to 16 in order to make for a good competition.
Bowlers from all disability groups and areas of the country, including 6 from Wales. Several new faces attended the event.
Firstly, players were split into 4 groups. Each group playing a round robin format followed by a knockout semi-final and then final, the top 4 receiving a money prize.
Group Winners
Percy Powell – London, with partner Kevin Woolmore – Wales
Kieran Rollings – Kettering, with partner Bob Love – Tamworth
Mac Otton – Warwick, with Dave Fisher – Colchester
Simon Writght – Hornsea, with Ian Paddy – Hornsea.
Simon and Ian finished their group on equal points with Ray and Neil Smith. They went through on shots difference. All the other teams won their groups outright.
Kieran and Bob beat Percy and Kevin 15 – 9, going through to the final to play Simon and Ian who had an impressive win over Mac and Dave, 17 shots to 3.
In the final Simon and Ian were 11 – 3 up and despite a fight back by Kieran and Bob, winning the next 4 ends, Simon and Ian took a 3 on the last end to win the trophy.
After the final, Bob Love said although he was disappointed to loose, it was great to see a new DBE member winning the trophy.
There were some really close and very entertaining games. It was a good spirited and sporting competition. Enjoyed by players and spectators alike and as always, Gedlings helpers were ‘wonderful’.
The Gedling ‘crew’ look forward to welcoming more ‘new faces’ to future events at Gedling IBC.
Maggy Smith.
Photos: Open Pairs Gallery – 2016