Report by Alex Smith:
With Round 1 of pennants concluded with mixed success, the next day – Sunday 11 October – it was back to Club Competitions and Day 2 of the Open Pairs Championships at Trimmer Terrace with past champions, established pairs and exciting new combinations.
Sections 5-8 would lock horns in three 12-end shootouts with the top two from each section, decided by wins and then shots, advancing to the knockout rounds.
Section 5
Groth & Trenerry, Smith & Trenorden I, Johns & Keane and Gray & Lia would be the combatants in Section 5.
Despite the best efforts and good spirits of Groth & Trenerry and Gray & Lia, it would be Smith & Trenorden (+30) and Johns and Keane (+9) contesting the knockout rounds after the two undefeated pairs shook hands at 11-5 in game 3 as lightning and rain beset the Sturtress.
Section 6
Former champions (including current club champion) Dunstan & Webster headlined Section 6, joined by Speck & Blue, Fisher & Wood and Minson & Nuus in what was the only section made up of a single gender! This section would go down to the wire with a 14-all draw in game two between the pairs skipped by Webster & Wood, making every bowl in game 3 matter. Ultimately, despite the best efforts of the elements, Speck & Blue (+15) would ensure qualification to the knockouts, with the final qualifying spot still to be determined with a weather delay.
Section 7
Our penultimate section saw Mullins & Mullins, Manglaras & Marrollo, Badenoch & Kavanagh and Clohesy & Howard get their campaigns underway.
Like its predecessor section, 7 would go down to the wire in the tricky conditions.
The crafty Euro combination of Manglaras & Marrollo (+24) would top the group unbeaten, with all eyes turning to a game 3 shoot-out between the Mullins (+6) and the Clo & the Colonel (+2) to be completed to determine the second Section 7 qualifier.
Section 8
The final quartet to throw them down in sectional pairs play were Irwin & Kelly, Allen & Hardy, Adams & Witt and last year’s runner-up Hughes with new partner Matteucci.
After two all-action rounds on A green, Hughes & Matteucci (+24) and Adams & Witt (+19) would save their legs and agree on a draw after ensuring qualification, unbeaten.
Go Sturt.