VICE-PRESIDENTS PAIRS TROPHY 2016
At the weekend, an excellent turnout of 32 members took part in the Vice-Presidents Pairs Trophy, the Club’s second doubles competition of the season. The 32 players were drawn randomly into 16 pairs and this produced some strong partnerships.
In the top half of the draw, one of last season’s winning pair, Fergal Wright, was drawn to play with four time Hesketh Arms doubles champion, Margaret Langley. This looked a strong pairing on paper and so it proved as they progressed to the final with wins against Wayne Graham and Noel Morgans (21-16), Jason Chapman and Kyle Dawes (21-3) and in the semi-final, Jim Finnimore and Pat McArthur (21-9).
The bottom half of the draw featured some close games before Laurie Townson and Brian Sutton were able to reach the final with wins against Dave Bedford and Lieny Platt (21-12), Bob Platt and Tony Wakefield (21-15) and Alex and Ken Rimmer (21-18). The highlight of Brian and Laurie’s run to the final was the semi-final against Alex and Ken Rimmer, which saw them run out from 18-10 down.
In the final, Margaret and Fergal got off to a flying start, scoring four at the first end. Although Brian and Laurie drew level at 7 across with three at the fourth end, Margaret and Fergal were able to score consistently and when they got a second four at the 11th end to lead 18-9, it looked as though they were going to win the game comfortably. Brian and Laurie were not going to concede the game without a fight, however and by winning five out of the next seven ends, they were able to close the gap to 16-20 before Margaret and Fergal secured the single they required to claim the title.
Congratulations to Fergal on retaining this title and to Margaret on winning a record fifth doubles title at the Hesketh Arms, having won the Chairman’s Shield in 2008 and 2013 and the Spring Pairs in 2011 and 2012. Well done also to Brian and Laurie on reaching the final and providing a fitting end to the competition.
A plate competition was also held and this was won by George Hitchmough and Roger Van Beever with a 15-10 win in the final against Lieny Platt and Dave Stringfellow.
