The final of the men’s Handicap pairs was played last Friday.

It was a lovely still morning which was quite a nice change.

The finalists were, last year’s winners, David Payne and Barry Baillie against the two Steve’s, McGregor and Bartley.  

David and Barry had a +3 handicap with the two Steve’s a +7, a four shot start to the Steve’s..

The two Steve’s started really well winning the first four ends to lead 15-3.

They then dropped a 4 and a 1, 15-8 to the Steve’s

The Steve’s then picked up the next three ends with a 1 on each.

Barry and David then won three ends taking a 1 ,then a 2, followed with a 3. The gap had closed, 18-14 to the Steve’s.

Next end a 2, to the Steve’s, 20-14. The Steve’s were bowling well, particularly Steve Bartley.

A, 5, followed by a 1 on the next two ends brought the last years champions back into the game. 20-18 to the Steve’s after 15 ends.

The Steve’s held their nerve  to take a 3, on the sixteenth end to lead by 5.

A 2, to David and Barry on the seventeenth end , 23-20 to the Steve’s. Can they hang on?

Steve was holding 1 and decided to play wide and a little behind, unfortunately he clipped one of Barry’s bowls, knocking it in in .

Steve was still holding 1 but David with last bowl now had second and third shot.

David went for the shot bowl and successfully took it out to grab 3 and a draw.

An extra end was played, Barry held 1 shot and David grabbed another and Steve was unable to draw the shot.

David Payne and Barry Baillie back to back champions.

Steve McGregor and Steve Bartley played particularly well  and looked the winners right through the game.

David played some critical bowls to keep them in the game especially his shot on the eighteenth end.

Report by Alan Daniels.