The unified county finals were concluded on another wet evening at Portland – with 2 Men’s finals being played.
The finals were Pairs and County Champion of Champions. And saw both the current holders retain their titles.
The first final to finish was the Men’s County Champion of Champions singles – which saw New Delaval Knights Ant Barke take on Percy’s Steve Roberts. After a close start the game was 8 – 7 to Barke after 10 ends, but then Barke scored 2, 3, 2, 2 to lead 17 -7. Roberts replied with a single but Barke then scored 2 doubles to wrap up the game and take the title again 21 – 8.
In the pairs final, holders Gosforth’s Josh Minto & Chris Yeomans took on St. Georges Dragons Alan Stewart & Steve Harvey. The morpeth duo started off well, and collected 3 singles from the first 3 ends, and the game was evenly poised as it reached the halfway stage, as the scored was 7 – 6 after 9 ends to the Gosforth pair. But from end 10 onwards, Minto & Yeomans scored on 4 consecutive ends to widen the gap to 15 – 6. This proved pivotal as the lead was maintained and the game finished on end 17, with the score being 18 – 9. Well done to the Gosforth lads, as this is the 3rd consecutive title in the pairs they have won, and their 5th in total. Commiserations to Alan and Steve, but of course both pairs have the national finals to look forward to later this month at Leamington Spa.