Dorothy Piearce Ladies’ Pairs Qualifier

Ten pairs entered the qualifier for the Dorothy Piearce Pairs which was played at Finch Hill on Sunday 26 June, the winning pair to represent the island at the Longton VM Sports and Social Club, Lancashire, on Saturday 13 August.

The weather was not kind and waterproofs were the order of the day.

Semi-finals: Helen Martin and Janet Monk 21, Fiona Kennish and Jenny Moore 13; Joyce Ogden and Philippa Taylor 21, Jean Thackrah and Mavis Franks 4

Helen and Janet had the better of the first exchanges in the final, taking a 10-5 lead. The other pair fought back staunchly to level at 11-11.The Mooragh pairing swept through to lead again at 17-12 before Philippa and Joyce staged another come-back to 17 across, but their effort was in vain as a single followed by a three gave the game to Helen and Janet, who will now represent the IOM in Lancashire on Saturday 13 August.