Pairs do battle for Matthews Plate
A reduced field did not detract from the quality on show as Lilleshall Hall’s flat green bowlers contested the Matthews Plate ladies’ and men’s drawn pairs competitions.
And it was hot duos Liz Caird & Sheila Payne and Colin Meadows & Mike Hubbard who emerged victorious in blistering sunshine in the grounds of the National Sports Centre.
“A combination of illness and holidays meant only 12 club members took part in the Matthews Plate,” said club spokesman Quentin Smith.
“Luckily there were six men and six ladies, allowing a simple three-team round-robin league in each competition, each pair playing the other two over eight ends of four bowl pairs.”
And with the winners of the first games sitting out round two, the third games became finals in effect.
“In the ladies competition the last match saw Liz Caird and Sheila Payne play Frances Hill and Thelma Stanley,” said Smith.
“Fine leading from Liz, backed up by skip Sheila, saw them power away to a 10-1 lead at the halfway point and, though Frances and Thelma rallied, the deficit was too great and Liz and Sheila ran out winners 12-7.”
Strong leading from Meadows, supported by skip Hubbard, gave them the edge over Frank Hill and Quentin Smith in the key men’s clash and they scored a string of singles and twos to complete a comfortable 9-1 win.
“Liz, Sheila and Mike have all won the competition before, but it was a welcome first win for Colin,” added Smith.
