TOO CLOSE TO CALL

This morning's Club Pairs Final had all the makings of a classic with previous winners Janie Vickers and Sean Lassman up against last year's runners up Nicole Rogers and Ashley Nethercliffe. The former champions picked up a three on the first end but by end 9 the in form youngsters led 7-4 and the view amongst spectators was that they would move on to victory. Those on the bank always think they know best! Janie and Sean are, however, made of strong stuff and they quickly confounded the "experts" by picking up 11 shots over the next 5 ends to move into a commanding 15-7 lead. At this point, Club Committee members, returning from a meeting in the Malshanger Clubhouse joined the spectators and were witnesses to a momentum change as Nicole and Ashley themselves, playing on shorter jacks, also picked up 11 shots over 5 ends to lead 18-15 with 2 ends to play. A single for Janie and Sean on the penultimate end ensured the game went to the wire and as Sean went to deliver his last bowl he was one down but his opponents were vulnerable if he moved the jack. To the relief of Ashley, Sean did not change the situation so Ashley did not need to deliver his last bowl. It was a compelling final and both pairs are to be congratulated on putting in a performance that kept all the spectators on the edge of their seats.