Paul J Williams and Alison Murray win Ashby's National Forest GC Doubles

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Paul J Williams and Alison Murray win Ashby's National Forest GC Doubles

Eight pairs contested the National Forest GC Doubles tournament (aggregate handicaps 0+) in pleasant playing conditions: dry all weekend, and not too hot. The competition was run as two blocks of 4 pairs each, followed by semi-finals and final. Each block match comprised two 13-point games.

In Block A, the Woodhall Spa pair Andrew Grant and John Palframan won 2 of their 3 matches to qualify for the semis, as did home pair Arthur and Judith Rowe but with a slightly lower points difference. Leicester duo Paul J Williams and Alison Murray won Block B with two match wins (and also a drawn third match), while Mike O'Brian (Ashby) and Christine Wood (Tyneside) finished as block runners-up with one match win plus two draws.

Both semi-finals turned out to be really closely-fought battles, in each case going all the way to hoop 13 of the third and final game. Andrew and John finished 7-3, 6-7, 7-6 against Mike and Christine; meanwhile Paul and Alison edged out Arthur and Judith 7-3, 4-7, 7-6.

The final was nicely poised at one game all, at which point Paul and Alison stepped up a gear to win a convincing final game with some good long hoop shots. Final score: Paul and Alison beat Andrew and John 4-7, 7-4, 7-2.

Mike and Christine won the 3rd place play-off 7-3 against Arthur and Judith, and Ashby pair Andy and Janet Sherwood won the round-robin Plate competition.

Full results on CroquetScores