Championship Pairs games at Yamba Women’s Bowling Club last week produced some fine bowls in the Pairs Championships. The first and second round games last week have now set up intriguing matchups as the competition proceeds this week. Having controlled their first round game against Pam Conley and Ros Dickson to record a comfortable win, Robyn McPherson and Marjorie Thompson got off to a shaky start against Beryl Mills and Kerry Pedder in their second game. But by the 12th end though had regained the ascendency to lead 13-7. However, toughing it out, Beryl and Kerry picked up a match swinging 6 on the next end to draw level, then maintained the pressure through the closing ends with some precise draw bowling, to record a good win. Beryl’s experience and excellent lead bowling, along with skip Kerry’s confident solid play will prove a challenge for their next opponents, Judy Abbott and Catherine Aitchison. Judy and Catherine’s game against Margaret Durante and Glynis Hall was a classic game of two halves, with the card reading 11 all after 9 ends. But then Judy and Catherine put the foot down and dominated to record an impressive victory. One of the other good match ups in the third round is between Val Terry/Monica Conlan up against Helen Atkinson/Chris Cole. Last week, Monica and Val had a really tough game early against Cheryl Deveney and Raels McKibbin, who led 6-5 on 9 ends. Then the more experienced combo proved too strong and Val and Monica went on to chalk up a solid victory. In their game, Helen and Chris had a struggle against Helen Scott and Isabel Neill until the 7th end with scores at 6 all, but they then won 7 of the remaining 11 ends to push on to win quite comfortably. By contrast, three of the remaining games were extremely close contests. A battle all the way, one shot separated victors Judy Sinclair and Beryl McConnell and Dot Gleeson/Marie Stone. Judy and Beryl picked up a 4 on the 10th end for an opportunity to assert, their opponents hit straight back with a 5, and on the 14th it was 16-15 to Beryl and Judy. In a tense finish, they were able to hold that lead through to the end to score an 18-19 win. Two other very tight games saw two shot wins. Denise Burey and Joan Scadden were always in control their game until the 13th end when they led 16-10 against Lily Medhurst and Ros Moore. But they then lost their way, and Lily and Ros powered home collecting 8 shots over the next 4 ends to lead by 2 going into the last end. However, Denise and Joan held their nerve and picked up a 4 to prevail 20-18. In their game, Wynn Bell and Kaye Mason defeated Denise Collier and Wendy Ballantyne 19-17. After an even start Kaye and Wynn dominated through the middle ends to jump out to a good 16-9 lead after 12 ends. However, Denise and Wendy then lifted their game and hit back to be just one shot behind going into the last end. Having the momentum, but Wynn landed the killer blow amid their bowls to take a well-deserved two shot win. The next round game between Joan’s and Kaye’s teams should prove a great match up, while Beryl and Judy take on Ruthie Fletcher and Judy Button. Ruthie and Judy, while always in control of their game against Sandy Owen and Jane Pearson, did not have it all their own way, but played more consistently to record a comfortable win. The semi-finals should provide some great games on Thursday 21, and the final is set down for Tuesday 28. As well as the championship games, social bowls is in full swing. On Tuesday 12, with only one first round Pairs game set down, selectors helped out the other teams by pairing up those they could as practice for their second round. As expected, some good contests resulted. Lucky Rink winners were Val Terry and Monica Conlan, runners up went to Gwen Hoskin and Judy Pryor while Maria Sakac, Lorraine Asbury, Sandy Owen and Jane Pearson snared the consolation prize. Entry sheets are on the board now for the Championship Fours and the Major Singles, as well as information for all District Championships. Nominations and entry fees for the latter must be given to the secretary well prior to March 11, which is when the entries must be lodged with the CRDWBA. Wendy Ballantyne