2009 Arthur Pinn Drawn Pairs

Once again the support for this competition was very good with fifty-four members going into the draw to play a pairs knockout schedule over several days. Monday morning and afternoon of the 16th November the preliminary and part of the first round took place, completing the first round on the morning of Friday 20th.  In the afternoon the quarterfinal stage took place reaching the Semi –final stage which were played at 1400 on Saturday 21st which on paper were going to be very tough competition.
The first was between a fairly new couple to the game of bowls, Ann Tuplin, partnered with Les Pratchett against at the other end of the scale regarding bowls experience, Pat Beattie and Alan Terry. Alan had figured in both summer competition finals winning with different partners in the Reliant and Eleanor McCraw. Les and Ann started off well for the first eight ends keeping their noses in front. However inevitably the experience of Pat and Allen then took charge and in the end won easily.
The second semi that is a regular finalist in the variety of competitions we have in Spain, Colin Wright, ably partnered with Carol Roberts another newish bowler against the formidable pair of Maureen Atkins and Tony Mullen who had knocked out their respective partners on the way to this stage. This was disappointing for Maureen and Tony who had played so well during the competition and was unable to match the excellence of Colin and Carol. It wasn’t that Maureen and Tony were not playing well, but the continuous spoiling of the good shots by Colin was very frustrating for them. In the end it was impossible to win and the seventeenth end completed the game.
The final took place on Sunday afternoon and promised to be a very competitive game. A superb final rewarded the expectations of the spectators.  It was nip and tuck for sixteen ends with a maximum of only two shots difference either way. All players played excellent bowls throughout, with Carol earning a special mention matching the experience of her fellow players. Unfortunately for her and Colin, Pat and Alan turned the screw and gained three shots on the last two consecutive ends to win a great final.
Peggy Pinn, the wife of the late Arthur, who this competition is dedicated too, kindly presented the cup.

Vic Parsons
ALBC Vice Chairman & Press Officer