The 2024 Mixed Pairs Competition was held on Sunday 25^th August at Rhuddlan BC. President, Pauline Lindley hosted the event and members of the WCGBA Management were on had to assist in the running of the competition. The referees, Alan Davies, Peter Hughes and Richard Haywood worked hard all day.

On a breezy, often wet day, this year’s 21 pairs squared up to the challenge. We had a mix of well established and newly formed pairs taking part.

In the opening round, Chris Jones and partner Louise Dougal chalked up an impressive lead of 17-9 up against Paul Roberts and Jane Lamb. As always with pairs, the lead can change dramatically in only a few ends. In what can only be described as a game of two halves, Paul and Jane soon fought back to 17-15 and then went 18 across before Chris and Louise settled the match 21-18.

There were strong wins for Jess Lacey and Owen Jackson 21-6, Adam Penlington and Nicola Boulton 21-9 and John Bonatti and Belinda Lloyd 21-12.

By the quarter finals, the field had been narrowed to Paul and Marie Hallett, last year’s winners, who faced Jess and Owen. Well known to each other they had a great game with Paul and Marie finishing 21-18. Adam and Nicola made short work of their match with Ashley Zepeda and Scott Edgerton winning 21-11. Francis Penlington and partner Emily Gowen also romped home with a 21-6 win over Terry and Angela Howard. In the last match, John Bonatti and Belinda beat Ian Jones and Aileen Coleman 21-13.

We now had three of the four pairs from Flintshire Area. Adam and Nicola continued to play well to beat seasoned pair Paul and Marie 21-14. Francis and Emily ensured their place in the final with a 21-16 win over John and Belinda.

In the final, there was to be no early lead by either pair. Each ‘set’ stalling for a few ends, allowing their opponents to catch up. A sporting trivia note for you in that we had three members of the same family in the final.  As the game reached 15=12 to Adam and Nicola, they were determined to finish on top. They won out 21-13.

Wales will have three pairs going through to the BCGBA Mixed Pairs final day in September.