BOWLS: All Saints duo Witherspoon and Todd win Churches' Pairs

The Larne Churches' Pairs competition took place recently, with All Saints duo Darren Withersppon and Nigel Todd claiming the title.
Chris Snoddy and Elizabeth Woods presenting Nigel Todd and Darren Witherspoon of All Saints with their Churches' Pairs trophies. INLT 02-950-CONChris Snoddy and Elizabeth Woods presenting Nigel Todd and Darren Witherspoon of All Saints with their Churches' Pairs trophies. INLT 02-950-CON
Chris Snoddy and Elizabeth Woods presenting Nigel Todd and Darren Witherspoon of All Saints with their Churches' Pairs trophies. INLT 02-950-CON

The pair whitewashed defending champion Tom Bodles (Gardenmore) with new partner Andrew Robinson in the final.

The defeated finalists had survived a late rally from L&K’s Jackie Wallace and David McRandal to book the first semi-final spot (8-6).

Raymond Robinson and Andy Jenkins of Raloo led all the way to defeat Ken and Alan McCord (Gardenmore) 12-4. Stephen Witherspoon and Simon Beggs (All Saints) won a low-scoring match 8-4 against Rodney Moore and Stephen McCullough (1st Larne).

In the final game Darren Witherspoon and Nigel Todd (All Saints) outmuscled Matthew Lindsay and Ross Wallace 12-5.

Robinson and Bodles left their first game jitters well behind when they dominated their semi-final and powered to a brilliant 13-1 win over Stephen Witherspoon and Beggs.

The other semi-final was much closer as Robinson and Jenkins threatened a major upset. Darren Witherspoon and Todd did well to keep themselves just 1-4 down at halfway, against a barrage of Raloo touchers.

A count of three on the fifth end turned the game and the All Saints pair rallied to lead by one, playing the last end. Witherspoon buried the jack to wrap up the match with his first bowl and the final most predicted became reality.

Witherspoon carried his confidence into the final and dominated the early ends. Bodles played some brilliant saving shots but could never get a path to the jack. Nigel Todd was also in fine form and tidied up any loose ends as the All Saints duo led 8-0 with just one end to play. Andrew Robinson ditched the jack to avoid a whitewash but the game was gone.

Organisers Chris Snoddy and Elizabeth Woods presented the trophies and prizes to the worthy winners and thanked Gardenmore for their wonderful hospitality and facilities.

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