This being the very first DBE National Pairs competition it was great to see competitors from all parts of the country and from all disability groups.
Teams competing:-
- – Paul Hawkes (London) and Daniel Lockhart (Milton Keynes, Bucks)
- – Bob Love (Birmingham, West Mids) and Gary Swift (Harrogate, Yorks)
- – Gemma Broadhead (Selby, Yorks) and Christopher Grey (Kettering, Northants)
- – Barry Jones (Canvey Island, Essex) and Keith Urquhart (Otley, Yorks)
- – Lynnette Zadrazil (Torbay, Devon) and Mike Birch (Torquay, Devon)
- – Mac Otton (Warwick) and Dave Fisher (Colchester, Essex)
- – Paul Brown (Ross-on-Wye, Herefords ) and Kieran Rollings (Kettering, Northants)
- – Jonathan Stokes (Luton, Beds) and Steve Bigg (Wellingborough, Northants)
Check in time was 9.30am when the teams drew out their team numbers as above. The competition then proceeded in a knock-out format with the teams losing in the first round going on to play in a ‘Plate’ knock-out, thus guaranteeing all competitors at least 2 games.
There were some really close scores in many of the games played and some wonderful bowling for the spectators to watch, many of whom had traveled some distance to support the bowlers. The competition was played in good spirit and sportsmanship with the eventual winners being Gemma Broadhead and Christopher Grey. It was the first time that they had played together and what a partnership! They won their first game against Barry and Keith, 15 shots to 14 and their semi-final against Bob and Gary, 20 shots to 8.
In the final they met Jonathan Stokes and Steve Bigg who had beaten Paul Brown and Kieran Rollings in the first round and Mike Birch and Lynette Zadrazil in the semi-final. Gemma and Chris got off to a great start, 5 shots up on the 2nd end but then Jonathan and Steve won the next four ends going 7- 5 in front, all square 7-7 on the 8th end and it was then ‘neck and neck’ the rest of the way. At 10 – 10 going into the last end, Gemma and Chris scored 2 shots to take the title of the very first DBE Outdoor National Pairs Champions!
What a wonderful game, just as a final should be.
Mac Otton and Dave Fisher played Barry Jones and Keith Urquhart in the Plate Final, Mac and Dave winning, 21 shots to 7.
The event was organised and run on the day by Mo Monkton, DBE Development and Performance Officer and Margaret Smith, DBE and Competition Secretary.
Presentations were made by Mo and Margaret. Thanks were given to the competitors for travelling and competing, the bowls club and ground staff for the use of their facilities, the Mum’s, Dad’s, Grannies, wives and friends for providing transport and supporting the bowlers, making the day a success, despite the weather!
All were wished a safe journey home.
Gary Swift, on behalf of the bowlers, kindly thanked Mo and Margaret for ‘making it happen’.
This event will now take place each year, we are confident, growing in size .
More photos: Gallery
Margaret Smith DBE SEC.