Friday 14th August
Friends 2‑Wood Pairs Competition – A Glorious Day at Leamington
The long‑awaited day for the revamped Friends 2‑Wood Pairs Competition finally arrived, set against the buzz of the National Championships at Leamington. With 22 pairs entered across two leagues, everything was in place for a full and exciting schedule — until early morning drama struck. Two players had to withdraw, prompting a brisk bit of “green‑side diplomacy” to find replacements. Huge thanks go to Chris Pancott and Pam Lawrence, who stepped in without hesitation and ensured the competition could begin on time.
League One got off to a flying start, with one team quickly establishing themselves at the top. League Two, meanwhile, proved a tighter affair, with several teams jostling for early dominance. After the first session, the heat of the day claimed another player, but once again the Friends spirit shone through. Danny Holland kindly stepped in, keeping the matches running smoothly.
With two further sessions completed in both leagues, the tables were set and the semi‑finalists confirmed.
- League One winners, Trevor & Barbara Dean, topped their group with three wins and 28 points. They faced Michael & Margaret Morris, runners‑up in League Two with 29 points and an impressive +20 shots.
- League Two winners, Dawn Slaughter & Andy Hunt, also finished on 29 points, boasting +25 shots. Their semi‑final opponents were Colin & Liz Bingley, runners‑up from League One.
Both semi‑finals were played in great spirit, with Trevor & Barbara and Dawn & Andy emerging as the finalists.
The Final took place on Green E, the stage for all earlier matches. It was a cracking contest. After seven ends the scores were level, before Dawn & Andy nudged ahead with a two. The Deans responded immediately with a three to take the lead, then followed up with a three and a single to stretch the score to 11–6. With the gap now out of reach, the match concluded at 11 ends — crowning Trevor & Barbara Dean as the 2026 Friends 2‑Wood Pairs Champions.
Trevor & Barbara Dean with Friends Secretary Neil Fletcher
The salver and prize money were presented to our champions and finalists, rounding off a day full of sunshine, good humour, and excellent bowling.
The new format proved a real hit, giving every team a minimum of three games and plenty of time to enjoy the atmosphere around the greens. Judging by the smiles — and the comments — we may well see a rush for entries next year. With limited places, early booking might become the first competition of the season.
Michael Bertrand