Dorothy Piearce Ladies’ Pairs Qualifier
There was an entry of nine pairs for the Dorothy Piearce Ladies’ Doubles Qualifier played at Finch Hill on Sunday 23rd. June. The fine weather of the previous days had departed, but the rain stayed away until the event was concluded.
There was one preliminary round game, and Finch Hill players Sue Collier and Norma Cowell found themselves facing the formidable pairing of Jenny Moore and Fiona Kennish. The South Ramsey pair raced to 20-2 but their opponents did not give in scoring a 3, followed by a 2, in the next two ends to finish with a score of 7.
The first quarter-final was a closer affair than the score might suggest with seventeen of its twenty-two ends being won by a single. However, on this occasion, Jenny and Fiona proved too strong for the Noble’s pairing of Clare Cooper and Rebecca Teare, moving through to the semi-finals 21-7. Lynda Cadamy and Mary Alderson struggled to come to terms with either the green or their opponents. A powerful performance by Chris Price and Kellie Maddrell saw them progress 21-3.
Shannon McMullan, who had reached the final of the junior girls event the day before, was joined by her sister, Madison, to take on Iris Kermode and Pauline Cowley. Youth won out by a score of 21-7.
In contrast, the other quarter-final, which pitted Philippa Taylor and Joyce Ogden against Kim Hargraves and Elaine Moore, was the match of the afternoon. Kim and Elaine sprinted to a 10-0 lead after just four ends, scoring a 4 and a 3. From that point on Philippa and Joyce had the better of it scoring 18 points to their opponents 11, but unfortunately they had left themselves too high a mountain to climb and had to bow out 21-18.
In the first semi-final Jenny and Fiona played Chris and Kellie. The pairs won ten ends each, but with Jenny and Fiona having a four and a three, with only two singles they scored 21 to their opponents 13. Kim and Elaine faced Shannon and Madison, and were faced with quite a struggle in the first half, the younger pair being 9-8 up after nine ends. However experience told and Elaine and Kim did not relinquish the jack again, progressing to the final 21-9.
In the final, an all South Ramsey affair, Kim and Elaine shot out of the starting blocks to lead 14-5 after eleven ends. The pairs were evenly matched over the rest of the game, but Jenny and Fiona were unable to make any inroads into the lead.
Elaine and Kim took the match 21-12 and will be representing the island in the Dorothy Piearce Memorial Pairs competition at Ashton in Makerfield on Saturday 10th. August.
Thanks go to Finch Hill for the use of their green and facilities, and also the help given by their members during the afternoon.