The final of the IWBC Pairs Championship for 2016 was played on Tuesday February 2. The winners were the team of Erika Karstens and Ann Mc Causland. The runners-up were Michelle Swan and Ros Duncan. The final was played at a very high standard and a difference of one shot decided the winners for 2016. Michelle and Ros started very strongly and held the lead for several ends before Erika and Ann found their stride and came back to take the lead of four shots on the final end. Despite a great final end of three shots for Ros and Michelle, it was not quite enough to win the game. All finalists are to be congratulated on their sportsmanship and skill in a very entertaining game. Fourteen teams nominated for the championship and there were some very close matches all played in a great spirit. Despite some very humid hot conditions and then the occasional rain, we managed to finish the competition with only one missed day. It is very pleasing to see our newer players participating and taking the opportunity to challenge themselves against the more established players. Results Round 1: 1 – B. Craig and P. Kennedy def K. Becker and R. Arthur; 2 – M.Swan and R. Duncan def L. Millard and L. Briggs; 3 – M. Arthur and M. Caldwell def S. MacNeil and J. Mayman; 4 – P. Welsh and R. Granger def J. Ferguson and S. Pye; 5 – E. Karstens and A. Mc Causland def F. Flaherty and J. Franke; 6 – L. Connell and M. Thomme def K. Sullivan and G. Rawlings Round 2: 1 – J. Brooker and A. Maclean def B. Craig and P. Kennedy; 2 – M. Swan and R. Duncan def M. Arthur and M. Caldwell; 3 – C. Caldwell and C. Morris def P. Welsh and R. Granger; 4 – E. Karstens and A. Mc Causland def L. Connell and M. Thomme Semi-final: 1 – M. Swan and R. Duncan def J. Brooker and A. Maclean; 2 – E. Karstens and A. Mc Causland def C. Caldwell and C. Morris Final: 1 – E. Karstens and A. Mc Causland def M. Swan and R. Duncan Our major singles have now started and then after that our teams will be preparing for the start of pennants in March. It has been great to see that the numbers of social players has been very high and we have had a few gentlemen players join us for the mixed draw on Thursdays.