The 2023 Welsh Mixed Pairs Competition was held at Rhos On Sea Bowling Club on Sunday 27^th August.

The Referees on the day were Alan Davies, Arthur Peake and Richard Haywood. Nine pairs took part and all ages covered.

In Round one, young Jack Dougal paired with veteran bowler Linda Williams had a comfortable win over Caroline Davies and Geraint Roberts 21-15. Paul and Marie Hallett also won 21-15 in their first game against Tony and Linda Kirkham. Through to round two also were pairs Martin Jones and Tracey Over, Louise Dougal and Chris Jones and Hayley Carpenter and Carl Lewis, I Wilson and S Eccles, Sain and Gary Maddocks and Nicola Boulton and Tommy Loundes.

From Round two, the pairs began to develop their strategies and skills having got to know the green and dealing with the odd heavy shower of rain. Through to the Quarter Finals we then had Louise and Chris to play Tommy and Nicola in a game which started out evenly before Nicola and Tommy led away to win 21- 11. Hayley and her partner Carl had an exceptional second game and won substantially 21-9 over B White and V McDonald. Martin and Tracey played well to win 21-15 over Gary and Sian Maddocks and Paul and Marie Hallett had a closer encounter with I Wilson and S Eccles to win 21-19.

In the first Semi Final, Martin and Tracey had an excellent game against Nicola and Tommy, resulting in a 21-19 win for Martin and Tracey. An equally great semi final game between Paul and Marie and Hayley and Carl also ended with a 21-19 victory to Paul and Marie, who again found themselves in a Welsh Mixed Pairs Final.

The Final was a truly entertaining match and nail-biting in its finish. Both pairs displayed some stunning bowls. Martin and Tracey began to edge ahead after a fairly even start. At 16-10 down, Paul and Marie turned the tables and started to inch their way back. In a game where the fortunes can turn dramatically in the space of one end, from 20 –15 down, Paul and Marie secured two singles and a triple to make it 20 across. It was all on the last end for both pairs. We were on the edges of our seats as Paul sent the jack out along a straight edge. With some brilliant tries from all concerned, Paul and Marie secured the title for 2023. Wales will have three pairs going through to the British Centenary Mixed Pairs at the beginning of October.