French Imports JPA Doubles Championship
In the orange group Lol Therin & Ken Luce and Frank Morel and Keith Boleat each won 5 of their 6 games, but with the superior points difference of +26 to +18 Morel and Boleat qualified for the semi finals.
A similar situation occurred in the yellow group; Fred Paisnel and Derek Hart (last year’s runners up) and Gordon and Dorothy de Gruchy each lost only one game. Despite Paisnel and Hart having beaten the de Gruchy’s, it was Gordon and Dorothy who topped the group; their +20 narrowly beating Fred and Derek’s +17.
And there was an even closer finish in the blue group. Mick Cotillard and Darren le Brun, who had beaten Tony Lagadu and Rosie Boleat by just one point in their group game, were pipped by just one point for top position in the group by that same pair! (+22 to +21) Also competing in this group was the only junior entrant Jacob Romeril who partnered his Dad Chris. They only won one game but lost two other to 13-12 and 13-10, an excellent and confident performance by such a young player.
Finally in the green group there were again two teams with only one loss. Last year’s winners Heather and Ray McGrath were the only team to beat Elaine Paisnel and Joy Hart. In turn the McGraths were only beaten by Colin and Betty Vibert. However two substantial wins of 13-1 and 13-0 accumulated Elaine and Joy a +25 which beat the McGrath’s +20 taking them into the final. Newcomers Chris and Sandra Satchwell while only winning one game, gained valuable experience by taking part only two months after taking up the game.
The first semi final began closely but a score of 4 on one end gave Joy and Elaine a 7-4 lead from which they went on to take the game 13-6. However the second semi final was closely contested all the way before Rosie and Tony finally won 13-11.
In the final Joy and Elaine steadily progressed, both placing and firing well. After their gruelling semi final Rosie and Tony were unable to maintain their high standard of play and were beaten 13-6.