Under overcast skies, eight triples teams assembled on Sunday to contest the club’s annual Triples competition. The draw for the teams had produced no obvious favourites, so it promised to be a very open tournament. There was one last minute change when Ian Baildon-Smith, who had only turned up for a chuck, gallantly stepped into the breach to replace Mike Wigg (ankle injury) and join Sean Smith and Phil Roberts.
The first round was taken very seriously by all teams as a loss would result in an uphill struggle. The four winning teams at the end of the round were:
Ian, Sean and Phil (+9)
Roger Griffin, Tony Newton and Gareth (+6)
Keith Nott, Gill and Michelle (+6)
Tony Smith, Barbara and Tom (+5).
In the second round Tony Smith’s team came unstuck against Keith Nott’s team, losing 8-12. However, Roger Griffin’s team came through with a 13-3 win, but this was equalled by Ian, Sean and Phil.
As round 3 got under way so did the rain. Only three teams could win the competition and this was quickly reduced to two when Roger, Tony and Gareth capitulated to Keith, Gill and Michelle by losing 1-13. Everything depended on the result of the game being played by Ian, Sean and Phil against Mike Jones, Jayne and Lynda. Would the wet conditions favour Mike’s team and give them their first win of the day and hand the trophy to Keith? No such thing. Ian, Sean and Phil put Mike to the sword with an impressive 13-3 victory and became 2018 Triples Champions, a team comprised solely of 2nd and 3rd division players, which goes to show the standard of play at the club. Congratulations to Ian, Sean and Phil!
Club Triples 2018 Final Result:
First – Ian Baildon-Smith, Sean Smith and Phil Roberts (3 wins, +30);
Second – Keith Nott, Gill Clark and Michelle Spencer (3 wins, +22);
Third – Roger Griffin, Tony Newton and Gareth Spencer (2 wins, + 4).
Sean Smith, Ian Baildon-Smith & Phil Roberts accept the Triples Shield from Club President Mike Jones (2nd from left)
