Noel Downie and Joel Hilliard are the 2018 Major Pairs Champions. They won the title with a strong second half of the final against Colin Fletcher and Alan McLeod.
Downie and McLeod started the final strongly racing to a 7 – 1 lead after just 4 ends before Fletcher and McLeod settled their nerves and got into the match. By the 9th end Fletcher and McLeod had snatched the lead at 10 – 9. The game had become a very tight battle with McLeod, in particular, playing some excellent bowls.
Downie and Hilliard, the favoured duo, then clicked into action and gradually secured their victory. After 13 ends they were again in the lead at 13 – 12. Over the next four ends they pulled away picking up 10 shots to move to a matching winning 23 – 12 advantage. Both Downie and Hilliard showed their class with outstanding bowls in this period. Their ability to control the head proved the difference.
While the final score was a convincing 24 – 14 win to Downie and Hilliard, the game was a tense battle. Fletcher and McLeod proved to be the ‘dark horses’ of the competition and were in no way disgraced in the final. Congratulations to Downie and Hilliard who were deserved winners and had to survive a couple of tight battles on their route to the final. They will now represent Tuross in the District Champion of Champions competition.
Above: Noel Downie and Joel Hilliard Major Pairs Champions
Above: Alan McLeod and Col Fletcher Major Pairs Runners up
