First two qualifiers in Pairs KO

Winter League

We have the first two pairs of qualifiers in the 2025-26 Pairs KO competition after the Division 3 Qualifying Round played at Thorpe Green on Friday. The opening round of matches saw the three Thorpe Green pairs kept apart and two of them progressed at the expense of the Almondbury BC B pair of Alison and Ian Schofield 21-4 and then Billy Beattie and David Blackburn seeing off another Almondbury BC B husband and wife pairing of Pat and John Hodgson.

The closest match of the opening round featuring the other Thorpe Green pair of Graham Rawlinson and Charlie Littlewood taking on Keith Hanley and Tom Chatfield with the scores level at 9-across after 14 ends. As matches are only played over 15 ends, or 21-up depending on which comes first, it was clear that the winner of the 15th end would take the tie and it was the Slaithwaite pair that came out on top 11-9 to progress to the 2nd Qualifying Round.

The half-way break allowed a queue to form for hot food and drinks. With Bovril and the Thorpe Green Pea Soup on the menu there were plenty of takers to get warmed up before the serious business of the final qualifying opportunity was to start.

Playing down to two pairs to qualify for the Round of the Last 20 to be played on Friday 20 February and there is an all-Thorpe Green encounter to determine which one of those pairs was to complete to the next stage of progress. It took 15 ends to score a total of 16 points which favoured Billy Beattie and David Blackburn who ran out 10-6 victors over club teammates Alan Hobson and Dave McLean.

The other Round 2 encounter matched John Pix and Jenny Marshall of Springwood A, who received the Round 1 bye, but they went down 9-16 to Slaithwaite pairing of Keith Hanley and Tom Chatfield. The weather was fine, the green was even better. Work had commenced on the green over the two months from the end of the Summer season to produce a surface never bettered in recent times at Thorpe Green. Time well spent. A good opening to the 2025-26 Pairs KO and qualifying matches continue every Friday now over 10 weeks with the Division 7 (Huddersfield RUFC) teams lined up for next week (12th December).

1st Qualifying Round Graham Rawlinson & Charlie Littlewood 9=11 Keith Hanley & Tom Chatfield

Alan Hobson & Dave McLean 21-4 Alison & Ian Schofield

Billy Beattie & David Blackburn 15-4 Pat & John Hodgson

2nd Qualifying Round John Pix & Jenny Marshall 9-16 Keith Hanley & Tom Chatfield

Alan Hobson & Dave McLean 6-10 Billy Beattie & David Blackburn

Next Friday it is the turn of the Division 7 bowlers from Huddersfield RUFC. We already have 7 pairs entered for this round and entries are still invited. You can use the onliine entry form at the foot of this posting or paper copies will be available on the next matchday at the Rugby Club next Thursday.

Use the side arrows to scroll through all 20 photographs from Friday's Qualifying Rounds

ONLINE ENTRY FORM