Vera Collins, who turns 90 today, teamed up with Jan McIntyre to defeat Naomi Marrow and Mireille Minet in the final on Thursday. This is the second time in three years that this pairing has taken the title, making it a double celebration for Vera.

They reached the finals after a close tussle against Val Blakey and Jean Clowes in the semis, that match going shot-for-shot all the way to a final score of 22-18.

The other semi-final was also a close match between Naomi Marrow and Mireille Minet against Mel Walker and Cathy Rymer, with Naomi and Mireille taking the match 18-15.

The final lived up to all expectations with the lead changing seven times throughout the match.

However, Naomi and Mireille went out to a five-shot lead with two ends to play before Vera and Jan applied the pressure, scoring a five and a two on the last two ends, to take out the match by two shots, 18-16.

What a fitting end to a competition that has featured some great bowling.

The men are also now well into their pairs championship and in the second round matches played to date B. Hair and D. Newham defeated B. Vickers and R. Dylan 25-8, B. Hudson and K. Bratby downed W. Steel and R. McNamara 18-13 and S. Bamford and A. Anstey beat R. White and A. Rodgers 17-16.

The remaining second round results are to be published next week.

The social bowlers took to the greens as usual during the week and on Tuesday J. Kirk, G. Reynolds and R. Jones won the women's event.

On Thursday, J. Brownlie and G. Reynolds were the winners.

K. Dransfield, J. Fardy and K. Condon were the lucky winners in the men's Wednesday bowls and on Thursday C. Paul, M. Miller and J. Twist went home winners.

Until next time, good bowling.

ROLL-UP RON