The Over 55’s National Pairs, a brand new National Championship event, kicked off this weekend at Hingham. Fourteen pairs entered the Norfolk qualifying heat playing in a round robin format in two groups of seven pairs with the two top pairs in each group qualifying for the semi-finals. There was no shortage of top names in action such as East Tuddenham’s John Turner & Simon Willies, Elaine Willies & Nigel Willard and Jean and Melvin Woods of Bob Carter. After seven sessions of games Roger Steele of Wymondham & Gordon Wilcox of Hingham had performed above expectations and were in the semi-finals against Thorpe Marriott’s John Jarvis & Jenny Walker. The other semi-final saw an all Norfolk County Squad clash with Jean & Melly Woods facing Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith who are currently unattached following the closure of Kirby Bedon SMBC. Jarvis & Walker were in tremendous form and claimed their place in the final with ease. Teresa & Selwyn Goldsmith enjoyed a flying start against Jean & Melly Woods and claimed their place in the final with an end to spare. The final saw Jenny Walker & John Jarvis continue relentlessly on and they secured victory with an end to spare. In the third place play-off Jean & Melly Woods beat Steele & Wilcox after scoring three shots over the last two ends to snatch victory. Now Norfolk will have to wait to find out how many qualifying places they will be awarded.
John Jarvis & Jenny Walker
Selwyn & Teresa Goldsmith