With a small field of eight entries in this year’s Rod Roberts Major Pairs, competition started straight into the quarter-final round.
The first game featuring father and son combination Jim and Darrin Ede and Dallas Palm and Ross Fitzpatrick was delayed owing to the grand final of the major singles being played beforehand. Once the game got underway though it was a similar start to Darrin and Ross’s grand final. The Edes got off to a cracking start, winning the first few ends to lead 12-3 after 6 ends. This was when Dallas and Ross decided enough was enough and storming back into the game to lead 19-14 after 14 ends before light interrupted play. The Edes can back with renewed vigour first thing on Sunday morning, winning four of the last six ends to put the scores at 21-22. The last end however went to Dallas and Ross with the holding shot changing many times throughout the end. The final score was 23-21 to Dallas and Ross.
The second game was between the 2017 runners-up in Les Watkins and Kevin Tuckerman, and Keith Robinson and President Ross Iredale. Les and Kevin made a very strong start winning five of the first seven ends to lead 9-2. Keith and Ross then picked up a few multiples back to back which really put them in charge of the game. Over the next seven ends, Keith and Ross charged ahead to lead 17-11 after 14 ends and then 22-11 after 16 ends. From here on, and despite a valiant comeback from Les and Kevin, Keith and Ross were too strong taking the win 25-15.
The third quarter final was between Michael Schwarcz and David Wilson and Dom Surace and Gerard D'Costa. Dom and Gerard made a strong start in the first seven ends, collecting a few multiples to lead 8-3. Then Michael and David came roaring back into the game on the 8th end, picking up a seven to take the lead 10-8. Gerard and Dom then got their second wind to lead 15-11 after 14 ends. At this point, Michael and David really put their foot to the floor, winning six of the the next seven ends to take the game 25-16.
In the last quarter-final game, Michael Trimboli and Steve Arnold were up against Clive Donohoo and Chris Judkins. The first half of this game was a one sided affair with Clive and Chris picking up some big multiples including a six on the six end. Despite a small comeback of sorts from Michael and Steve between then 9th and 12th ends, the score was 27-9 after 14 ends. The final third of the game was all Michael and Steve's with them dropping only one end between the 15th and 20th ends to have the scores 14-28 after the penultimate end. Proving the old adage that it isn't over until the fat lady sings, Clive and Chris picked up a six on the last end to take the win 34-14.
In the two semi-finals on Sunday morning, the first was between Dallas Palm and Ross Fitzpatrick and Keith Robinson and President Ross Iredale. Having had a seven end roll-up against the Edes on Sunday morning, Dallas and Ross made a strong start out of the gates to open up a large margin. Ross and Keith saw the luck come there way around the 10th end and from there on in, the scores really started to tighten up. This continued right up to the last end. The final score however went to Dallas and Ross's favour with this combination taking the win 17-16 on the last end.They are widely consumed by men to not just buying cialis cheap improve erection but also improve overall sexual stamina. india viagra for sale Many men must have used them till today, and many would be trying to buy them to overcome impotence. Drugs that are taken to control high blood pressure in a little while after taking the dosage.Some individuals using this medicine has showed diarrhea viagra discounts and stomach upset among; however in a while on it was noted that those individuals were having the weak digestion system. Form primary benefit so it provides for adult men for which it was offered to get, free prescription viagra is likewise with advantages includes men's certainty for sexual execution as due intersection their fulfillment for themselves and also for their fancied accomplice however just with single swallowing of a pill. viagra 100mg arrives in a quality of 100mg that is effective pill or tablets for managing erectile brokenness or.
In the other semi-final, Michael Schwarcz and David Wilson were up against Clive Donohoo and Chris Judkins. It really was a game of two lengths with Michael and David preferring the long ends and Clive and Chris preferring the short ends. Clive and Chris are to be commended for coming right back into the game in the final third, winning 5 of the 7 last ends and overall only winning eight ends in the whole game. The game resulted in a tie after 21 ends. On what was to be the penultimate end, David, who was trying to avoid the head, knocked up one of Clive's bowls to give the opposition three shots and tie the game 20-all. Michael put in a cracker on the tie-breaker end and even a spot-on drive from Chris couldn't change the result. The final score was 21-20 in favour of Michael and David.
In what has the making of a spiteful grudge match, the grand final will be between Dallas Palm and Ross Fitzpatrick and Michael Schwarcz and David Wilson. To mark the official start of the inevitable sledging this match will have, the author notes that Ross's penchant for hot chips akin to some sort of 'bin chicken' will ultimately be his undoing as he works to get match fit.
The final of the 2018 Rod Roberts Major Pairs will be held on Saturday 21 July.
Dave Wilson (better bowler than Dallas and Ross) reporting from the rinkside.