Hartlepool trio edged thriller on way to title
The second national title came in the men’s over-50s triples where Hartlepool’s Ian Jackson, Dale Oram and Glenn Skipp defeated Malvern Hill’s Mike Holmes 18-15.
The trio performed the great escape in the semi-finals when they collected a seven on the 16th end against Riverain’s Tony Webb to lead 19-18. Even then Skipp needed to score a last end three to book a final spot 22-21.
The third title was in the ladies over-60s pairs. Redcar’s Kath Delacoe and 82-year-old legend Beryl Alderson defeated Lincoln’s Lin Mountain 15-12 in the final.
In the latter stages of the family pairs the South Shields brothers Shaun and Ian McIntosh saw their hopes of ending the season with a national title dashed in their opening last 16 tie. Despite leading for most of the way against Riverain’s Jamie Claydon the Shields duo narrowly went down 22-21.
A field of 64 players gathered at Hartlepool as the latest Open Singles Circuit event took place.
Durham youngster Bryan Henderson produced a string of cracking wins to reach the final against Scotland’s Robert Gordon.
An opening 9-5, 8-6 win over South Shields Josh Minto was followed by a 2-0 tie breaker win over the host club’s Paul Mosley.
In the last 16 Henderson eased past Mark Lee 10-1,112 before dispatching Alan Taylor 8-3, 6-6. In the semifinals a narrow 6-6, 7-6 win over Kings thorpe’ s Jamie Walker booked Henderson’s final spot against Scottish internationalist Gordon. Sadly for the Durham youngster he missed out on the £1,000 first prize as Gordon ran out a 6-6, 10-2 winner.