14/09/2022
Results from the last ever Hilly House Doubles Competition -
In recent years, our doubles competition has seen "A team players" teamed up with "B Team players". Being the last ever time we will do this, this was waived so that it was possible for anyone to be drawn with anyone else.
It threw up some interesting pairs as Ritchie Bate & Dave Ainsbury were the first pair put together and soon found out their opponents, which were Margaret Copland & Tony Buffey.
Game 2 saw Craig Ainsbury & Brian Williams set for a tasty clash with Phil Bate & Wayne Marsden.
The third game was Phil Lacon & Martin Pitt vs Pete Bate & Gary Bolton and the final quarter final tie was Gregg Arnold & Barry Marsh taking on the pair of Lee Maslin & Martin Morris.
Quarter Finals -
Ritchie Bate/Dave Ainsbury 21 - 9 Margaret Copland/Tony Buffey
Ritchie & Dave got off to a quick start and took control of the tie early on. With leads of 15-1 and 19-5, Margaret & Tony claw a few back before Ritchie & Dave finish things off
Wayne Marsden/Phil Bate 21 - 10 Brian Williams/Craig Ainsbury
Much like the other game in this half of the draw, one of the pairs storm into a lead and find themselves 14-2 up. This was Wayne & Phil, who then go on to maintain control of the tie and see off their dangerous opponents.
Phil Lacon/Martin Pitt 10 - 21 Gary Bolton/Pete Bate
A blistering start from Phil Lacon may have stunned the pairing of Pete & Gary who found themselves in a tight game for the first 15 ends. Pete & Gary then hit a 4 to take control of the game and soon finished it off with a barrage of shots in the last three ends.
Barry Marsh/Gregg Arnold 18 - 21 Lee Maslin/Martin Morris
A 90 minute battle between two teams who both on paper and the green, were evenly matched.
A cluster of 1's and the occasional 2 over 17 ends was a huge factor in the epic battle attrition. 9-12 the score at this point before Lee & Martin get a foothold. 18-11 up, they then find themselves pegged back to 18 across as Gregg & Barry hit 7 shots in three ends. Three singles from Lee & Martin win the game for them 3 ends later.
Semi Finals -
Ritchie Bate/Dave Ainsbury 21 - 6 Wayne Marsden/Phil Bate
You'd be forgiven for expecting another back and forth game here, but that's not what we got. Ritchie & Dave take a 7-0 lead early on before getting pegged back to 9-6. Five ends later though, Ritchie and Dave had hit the Boosters and after a single, they hit a 3 and a 4 which were sandwiched between two 2s, the match was over.
Gary Bolton/Pete Bate 16 - 21 Lee Maslin/Martin Morris
Lee and Martin found themselves in yet another close fought battle. Never more than 4 shots between them until the very last end. Lee and Martin managed to get away from Gary and Pete and from 14-15 down, book their place in the final.
Final -
Ritchie Bate/Dave Ainsbury vs Lee Maslin/Martin Morris......... and so it came down to this! Secretary vs Former Chairman/Club Legend. Father in Law vs Son in Law!
Having breezed through their previous game, Ritchie & Dave had found themselves on the sidelines for nearly 90 minutes, as their opponents had two epic battles. On the one hand, Lee & Martin were bound to be feeling the effects of approximately 150 minutes of back to back bowling. On the other, two blokes with back injuries who hadn't been privy to the no doubt changed conditions from earlier in the evening were bound to have to regroup.
Whether on pure adrenaline from having continuously played since around 7.30pm, or whether they were used to the conditions, Lee & Martin quickly started their hands moving towards the prize. 10-0 up after 6 ends and with Martin leading well, it was looking like they may finally have a nice short game and what a time to do it.
As the clock approached 11pm (yes, 11pm) they had developed a 14-2 lead after quickly putting to bed what some may have thought was a revival from Ritchie & Dave.
But then, the spark of hope that had been quickly doused, reignited as Dave finds a bit of prosperous land. Martin, who after almost ten years had just realised that Ritchie was left handed, had gone off the boil and was struggling to make an impact once Dave and Ritchie had got a run going. Six ends later, it was 14-14. Once again though, Lee & Martin hit back with a two, but can't keep up any momentum and Dave & Ritchie take 6 shots in three ends to put themselves just 1 away from victory. Lee & Martin keep it alive with a pair of singles in the next two ends. With the game now on a knife edge at 20-18, it was Ritchie & Dave who finally finished things off on the 23rd end of the match at 11.15pm, becoming Undisputed Hilly House Double Champions!
Final Score -
Ritchie Bate/Dave Ainsbury 21 - 18 Lee Maslin/Martin Morris
