Three matches were played in the first round of the Major Pairs Championship on Saturday. In the highlight Peter Bird and Noel Downie managed to hold off Jim Macklan and Bruce Taylor in a very hard fought match.
Above: Noel Downie and Bruce Taylor
Macklan and Taylor started well but by the 10th end Bird and Downie had taken a 10 – 7 lead. Four shots on the 13th end followed by two shots on the next opened up a 5 shot lead for Bird and Downie.
Macklan and Taylor lifted their game and they won five of the next seven ends but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap. Bird and Downie consolidated their position with 2 shots on the 20th end and they held on to win a quality game 19 – 17.
Two very poor ends in the first nine proved to be a major hurdle for Alan McLeod and Ronnie Richardson in their clash with Ivan Balentovic and Michael Kennedy. Mcleod and Richardson had a good start but found themselves behind 16 – 8 after dropping two lots of 6 shots. They fought back and narrowed the lead but faded over the last few ends. Balentovic and Kennedy were too consistent on the day and recorded a good 31 – 17 victory.
Above: Ronnie Richardson and Michael Kennedy
A slow start also created problems for Stan Peck and Doug Williams in their game against Allan Etheredge and Ron Cox. Etheredge and Cox quickly raced to a 10 – 1 lead and maintained the pressure throughout the game. They combined very well and had the measure of their opponents to run out 26 – 6 winners.
Above: (left)Alan McLeod and (right) Doug Williams and Ron Cox The remaining round match will be played midweek with the semi finals set down for Saturday 17.
Tuross Head will also be hosting the next rounds of the District President’s Reserve pairs Singles on Saturday with play on Saturday morning and afternoon.
