William Purcell Club Pairs

Sunday 7th August 2011

The turnout wasn't quite as high as last year (22) but 20 entries for the 2011 Club Pairs made for an entertaining afternoon producing a knockout that lasted five and a half hours. 4 pairs played in round one with 6 pairs gaining a bye into the quarter finals. Denise Killion and Joe Wilson beat Melissa Gurdas and Dan Chilton 21-9. In the other first round game Ollie Newman and Matt Barnwell took on Marc Hadley Jnr and Terry Jones. All square at 4-4 but a break of 11 shots by Ollie and Archie put them 15-4 in front and four ends later the match was over (21-5).

Quarter finals saw Paul Newman and his brother-in-law Terry Gains beat Danielle Newman and Tonia Hadley 21-11, helped by an opening spell of 12-1. Darren Griffiths and Jim Watkin were level (10-10) with Jonathan Blakeman and Marc Wilson but pulled away to win 21-16. Sumo showing the kind of antics that would see him progress to a pairs final for the 4th time (1989, 2000, 2009, 2011). Carl Blakeman and Karen Newman started well against Mark Hadley Snr and Dave Childs, leading 9-0 and 12-3 but then found themselves trailing 14-19. Carl and Sponge then ran out finishing the game off with a full house to win 21-19. The last game of the QF's saw first round winners Mouse and Joe take on Ollie Newman and Matt Barnwell. A one sided affair to begin with, Ollie and Archie leading 14-1 and 18-9. Another game that had a twist as the scores levelled at 18 across. A loose end then followed with Ollie and Archie taking full advantage to score 3 and progress to the semi finals (21-18).

Action from the quarter finals - "no whooshing"

The entertainment was increasing by the time of the semi finals. Dan Chilton provided a running commentary for most of the afternoon and on the green there were plenty of funny moments involving Sumo, Carl and Ollie. The first semi final resulted in a 21-6 scoreline but the score did not reflect the standard of the match between Ollie and Archie and Carl and Karen. Both Carl and Karen found leads on numerous occasions only for the opponents to find the killer shot. The closest this game got was 11-6, at 20-6 to Ollie and Archie, Carl connected with strikes on both of his shots only to see the end result still being one shot down to end the game. Meanwhile Sumo and Jim were looking comfortable against Gaps and Terry Gains with the score at 10-0 and 19-9. Dan Chilton then got involved and followed every end in favour of Gaps and Terry. At 20-17 it looked liked they could snatch the victory but some short bowls on a long straight mark saw Sumo and Jim into the final 21-17.

The final saw two finalists from last year in Ollie Newman and Matt Barnwell. Archie had won the competition with Jonathan Blakeman in 2010 while it remained the one club competition Ollie had not won having lost in the final in 2008 and 2010. Could it be third time lucky for Ollie? Jim Watkin was playing in his second club competition final in as many seasons (Handicap Runner Up 2010) and a win for Darren Griffiths would see him equal Nigel Freeman's record of 11 club competition wins.

2-4-1-1 in the space of 10 minutes put Sumo and Jim 8-0 ahead. It set the tone for the final and they continued to bowl well to progress to 10-1 and 13-3. Ollie and Archie then pulled out some great shots and entertaining ends to concede only one end in seven and bring the score to 16-11. Jim leading well throughout the final and Sumo always challenged at the rear (just for you Joe ;-) 21-12 the final score with the last few ends played in heavy rain.

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Marc Hadley Jnr and Terry Jones take on Matt Barnwell and Ollie Newman in Round 1.

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Paul Newman was drawn with his brother-in-law Terry Gains who plays flat green bowls in Australia.

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Terry Gains, Darren Griffiths and Paul Newman during the semi-finals.

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Ollie Newman was the 20th entry to achieve an even number and soon got in the swing of things leading well throughout his first three games.

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'Gaps' seemed to enjoy the afternoon abit more than the previous days fixture against Ward End Cons.

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45 seasons for Broomfield between these pair. 2011 marks 25 for Paul Newman and 20 for Darren Griffiths.

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Having not played competitively since May, Carl Blakeman made the most of two lively games.

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The final was played between Jim Watkin and Darren Griffiths vs Matt Barnwell and Ollie Newman.

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Marc Hadley Jnr, Daniel Chilton and Carl Blakeman.

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Archie will be the first to admit it wasn't his day despite making it into the final.

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Great to see the majority of entrants stay on to watch and support the final.

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The glory shots paid off to give Ollie and Archie a chance when trailing 4-13.

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Footage from the final

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Get it down ya TON-A-BON!

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The final few ends were played out in heavy rain.

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2011 William Purcell Club Pairs Winners - Jim Watkin & Darren Griffiths

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