Martin Rose Bowl 2019 – Report

Twenty four brave souls decided that the strong winds and squally showers that greeted them as they opened their curtains on Sunday morning were not enough to stop them from making the journey to Victoria Park to participate in the Martin Rose Bowl (Mixed pairs competition).

A panel of four ranked the entrants and matched pairings to try to give everyone an equal chance of success.

The preliminary round saw victories for Gary Burgess & Michael McCormick (15-10), Peter Hartley & Sue Davies (15-9), Allen Mountford & Irene Kermode (15-12), and Dave Williams & Noreen Lewis (15-5).  Michael McCormick and Peter Hartley were particularly impressive considering their relative lack of experience.

In the quarter finals, Peter Hartley & Sue Davies won a titanic struggle (21-20) against No.1 ranked male Gary Burgess & his partner Michael McCormick, setting up a semi final against Dave Williams & Noreen Lewis who edged out A Mountford & I Kermode in another hard fought game (21-18).

Deborah Herold & Mike Kellett did well to beat a strong pair Andy Muchall & Sue Mountford (21-14).  In the remaining quarter final Paul Lancaster & Gayle Gordon survived a late comeback from Chris Lancaster & Di Banahan to go through 21-19.

The semi-finals were good games, but the scorelines suggested that they were more one-sided than games in the earlier rounds.  Peter Hartley & Sue Davies defeated D Williams & N Lewis 21-12, setting up a final against newcomer Mike Kellett & Deborah Herold, who were victorious (21-10) in their semi-final against P Lancaster & G Gordon.

The final was well contested, but ultimately the partnership of Deborah Herold & Mike Kellett proved to be too strong on the day for Sue & Peter, who fought valiantly to the end, but finally succumbed to a 21-9 loss.  Congratulations to Deborah Herold, who was delighted to win her first club competition after 7 years as a VPBC member.

The consolation final was won by Andy Muchall & Sue Mountford (playing left-handed), seeing off John Townsend & Sue Bosworth in the final, played on No.2 green.