On Sunday, another excellent turnout of 32 members took part in the Chairman’s Shield, the Club’s third and final pairs competition of the season.
The top half of the draw saw the strong pairing of John Unsworth and Rita Stanley make comfortable progress to the final with wins against Jim Finnimore and Peter Smith (21-9), Norman Simpson and Fergal Wright (21-11) and Chris Harding and Wendy McLoughlin (21-14). In the bottom half of the draw, Sue Davies and Jim Halsall were in equally impressive form, accounting for Steve Evans and Mike Burrill (21-9), John Rimmer and Lynne Smith (21-10) and in the semi-final, a surprisingly easy 21-3 victory against the highly-fancied pairing of Sue Andersen and Mark Rowlinson.
The final saw both pairs starting on +3 and for the first eleven ends, the game was close with the scores level at 12 across. At the 13th end, however, Sue and Jim scored a crucial three to open up a four chalk lead for the first time in the game and having taken control, ran out 21-12 winners. Congratulations to Sue and Jim on winning their first Hesketh Arms pairs title.
A consolation competition was held for first round losers and this was won by Mike Burrill and John Hughes, who beat Joe Parker and Roger Van Beever 15-9 in the final.
It was pleasing to see several new members playing in their first Hesketh Arms handicap and it is hoped that the club enjoys another good attendance for the final internal competition of the season on Sunday 23rd August, when the Championship Cup will be played for, starting at 12 noon.