Ross pairings take honours

» BOWLERS from Ross-on-wye took first and second spot in the third Cheltenham Open Pairs Competition at Suffolk Square last Saturday.

The tournament attracted a strong field of 64 bowlers from across England and and Wales, including recent Commonwealth Games gold medallists Jamie Chestney and Louis Ridout from Torquay, plus several other internationals and national champions.

The tournament was won by Shaun Jones and Mike Ricketts from Ross Bowling Club who collected a cheque for £1,000 from the event sponsor The Laurel Care Services.

Runners-up were father and son Tom & Mike Holmes also from Ross, who collected £500.

The losing semi-finalists were Chestney and Ridout, who were part of England’s successful triples team in

Birmingham, and John Roberts and Mike Jackson from Tenby, each pair winning £200. The plate was won by Tom Evans and Niall Spencer from Gloucester Co-op Bowling Club who collected £200. Despite the extreme weather the day proved a success and the Cheltenham tournament remains high on the national calendar of events.