2010 Summer Hong Kong Pairs Report

2010 Mixed CALB Summer Hong Kong Pairs Pairs
Semis and Final- Indalo B.C. Sunday 20th June
After their successful start to this years new CALB  alliance competitions  which included  Costa Almeria 4’s,Single and winter Pairs which were all previously reported on by yours truly, it was the turn of another new innititive the Summer Hong Kong Pairs.
From May 7th until 7th June on Monday’s and Friday’s four groups of eight mixed pairs played against each other with points for winning and for a draw, any problems deciding the winner, shot difference will be used. At the end of this period only the winners of each group went through to take part in the Semi’s and Final on Sunday 20th June.
Before reporting on this memorable day many thanks go to the management of the CALB for organising this competition, with a special thanks to Brian Saunders for collating the results and keeping all clubs up to date.
For those bowlers who are not aware how this competition is played and how it differs from the usual four wood pairs. Simply, one of the pair will start bowling with two of their woods, followed by the partner playing four woods; the first player will then play his last two woods. The start of the next end the pairs will play the opposite role. This is played over 18 ends and is ideal for all players getting a chance to lead and skip.
These competitions are reported and published in the local press with photographs and included in the Almeria B.C. website www.bowlingalmeria.com and www.bowlinginspain.com
The Semi’s started at 1030 on Sunday 20th June with two teams from the host club Indalo (Ind,) one from Cabrera (Cab) and one from Almeria (ALBC) bowling clubs.  Stewart Whearty and Trevor Robinson (Cab) played Barbara and Alan Ruscoe (Ind). Unfortunateley for the host pair, Stewart and Trevor were in a mean mood leading all the way winning comfortably. The other Semi was another host team, Mo and Alan De-Boer, who played Terry Rodgers and Jim Pike (ALBC). This was an exciting tussle between the pairs each individual playing well with the Almeria pair leading on the first two ends. From this point Mo and Alan inched forward not letting Jim and Terry get in front. However on the seventeenth end the Almeria pair took 4 shots trailing Mo and Alan by just one shot.  Terry and Jim then  gave the mat away on the last end giving the choice of jack length to the indalo pair. This proved to be for Mo and Alan the correct action  taking two shots winning the game.
The Final on paper was always going to be a close battle, which it was. Nip and tuck until end twelve when scores were level.  Stewart and Trevor took two shots on the next end with Mo and Alan taking three shots on the next giving them the lead and impitus to go on to win by three shots ending an exciting final.
Mike Champion, Vice President of Indalo B.C  congratulated all finalists and presented cash prizes for all.   Dave Jenkins  thanked Brian Saunders for his work organising this competition, John Dando for umpiring, John Calqhoun for running the bar and Brian Halliwell for providing and cooking the food.  Finally he thanked all the spectators who had attended and enjoyed a great day.
Vic Parsons
ALBC Press Officer