David Cornwell House, Bowling Green, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0DA
Fax: 01664 - 482888
S.A.Rodwell e-mail: sar@eiba.co.uk
REPORT
ON FINALNational Over 60 Pairs Championship Final 2001
In the afternoon, Teignbridge had a real tussle with Desborough, winning 20 -19 despite losing the last two ends. Stanley established an early lead of 9 - 2 at five ends and maintained this advantage until the eleventh end, when Eastbourne took counts of 4,3,3 in the next four ends to lead 17-14. Eastbourne then pulled away with three 2's in the final ends to eventually win 23 -19. In the remaining First Round game, Moonfleet 2000 had a battle with Lincoln, eventually losing 23 -25 in a game that saw the lead change on eight occasions.
The Quarter Finals were played on Friday evening with Teignbridge establishing what proved to be an unassailable lead of 11 - 1 at six ends against Hounslow, whilst Bristol similarly established a lead of 20 - 6 at thirteen ends in their game against Jacks Centre. Birmingham recovered from an early deficit to win 21 -13 against Pinewood Park, whilst Eastbourne took a 6 on the eighteenth end to lead 21 -18 and eventually win 23 -19 against Lincoln.
Saturday morning saw the players assemble for the Semi-Finals. Eastbourne took the last four ends to defeat Teignbridge 22 -12, whilst Bristol again established a winning position of 20 -11 at fifteen ends to defeat Birmingham 26 -12.
The Final on Saturday afternoon proved to be a tight and enthralling game. Rarely was there more than 2 shots between the teams. Bristol having scored 1,2,2 to lead 17 -12 at seventeen ends must have thought that they had won the Championship. However, Eastbourne proceeded to take two 3's in the next three ends to tie the game at 18 - 18 at twenty ends, and finally take a one of the final end to become the 2001 National Champions.